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This is the forty-ninth in the continuing series of groundwater updates.
This report was delayed a week because of Veterans Day and it covers the data received through November 11, 2005 and the field activities through November 18, 2005. 33 sample results from 31 home wells were received during this period. This includes four post-treatment samples. The next report is due December 10.
The sulfate secondary MCL (250 PPM) has not been exceeded since the last update. The sulfate levels in 9 of the samples exceeded the screening level of 50 PPM, two of these results exceeded 100 PPM. We are now tracking trends in the four of the wells that have recently shown an increase in the sulfate results over the last several months, although the results remain below the standard. We will continue to watch to see if this trend continues and will adjust the sampling frequency accordingly. With respect to the metals with secondary MCLs, one sample exceeded only the manganese standard (50 PPB), five samples exceeded both the iron (300 PPB) and manganese standards, one sample exceeded only the iron standard, and one sample exceeded both the iron and aluminum standard (200 PPB). These results are also generally consistent with the previous analysis. Finally, with respect to lead, which has a primary MCL and is discussed separately, four samples exceeded the lead standard (5 PPB). Two of these results are from wells that had previously exceeded the lead standard, and have a treatment system. The other two results are from wells that have had fluctuations in the lead results that are probably not related to the acid rock drainage. We will continue to evaluate these wells.
There are now seven homeowners that have met the criteria to be supplied with an alternative water supply. Three wells serving four homes have met the criteria to be considered for water treatment. One of these wells had a pre-existing treatment system, so it will be monitored, but a new treatment system is not planned. The treatment systems have been installed at the other three homes and are operating. The other four homeowners are also being supplied bottled water.
We continue to discuss the home well results and monitoring plan revisions on a regular basis. The last meeting was held on November 14 to discuss the sampling in the area of the wells that have shown an upward trend. The precipitation based sampling, turbidity based sampling, and treatment system sampling protocols continue to be implemented. A round of post-precip sampling was conducted on October 26.
The bauxsol pilot test work plan was received on June 29 and approved on July 19. A temporary water line was run from the Trumbull wells to the Buttress/Bifurcation area to supply water to make the slurry. The first application of bauxsol by spray irrigation began August 18 and drilling of the horizontal wells began on August 19. Drilling of the horizontal wells in the buttress/bifurcation and in the small cut face has been completed. Through November 16 approximately 1,000,000 gallons of water had been extracted from the Trumbull wells and applied by either spray irrigation or injection into the horizontal boreholes in the buttress/bifurcation area. 17 monitoring wells are being monitored daily for changes in pH, conductivity, and water level as a result of the bauxsol application. Groundwater quality in these wells, as measured by ph, has shown some slight improvement, but remains acidic. One well that previously showed an increase of pH to around 7 has now had the pH drop back to around 3.5. On October 6 daily purging of three shallow monitoring wells to encourage groundwater movement began. With more groundwater movement we may see more impacts in the monitoring wells which have only showed relatively small pH increases, but to date that has not proven to be the case.
The Department approved immediate removal of a section of the 317 fill where pyritic rock was placed. As part of this removal the sampling frequency of wells in the area will be increased to monthly sampling. This immediate removal was completed the week of October 31. Most of this material is being mixed with lime in accordance with the established protocol, although some if it may be used to test other treatment options.
Background sampling of home wells in the vicinity of the proposed ERPA has begun. One of the wells has had two rounds of sampling where the sulfate result has exceeded the standard of 250 PPM. The preconstruction sampling showed sulfate levels in the well was less than 30 PPM. We now believe that these sulfates are related to the nearby I99 road cuts and fills in the Brallier shale. Although there is no evidence of a massive sulfide deposit, as is present in the Bald Eagle Sandstone at Skytop, there is apparently a sulfate source within the Brallier. The Department sent PennDOT a letter requiring that they identify the source of the sulfate and submit to the Department a monitoring plan by November 23. On November 14, John Sengle and I met with Skelly and Loy to discuss the groundwater and surface water requirements for this plan.
The monitoring wells were sampled the weeks of November 7. These results and the September and October results have not been received yet, but the results from the previous sampling of the monitoring wells remain fairly consistent. To date 70 OBAs have been drilled and 82 monitoring wells have been installed in and around the various fills.