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A new round of testing is about to begin at Six Lakes, bringing us one step closer to a cleanup plan. Thanks to advocacy by the Six Lakes Park Coalition, the scope of this plan has been expanded beyond the seven initial "areas of concern," or AOCs, where the 2023-24 round of testing occurred. While those seven AOCs are believed to be the most contaminated areas and will continue to be investigated in this round, Olin has also been required by the remediation team at CT DEEP to look into other areas on the site as well as collect surface water samples from each of the five designated ponds. (A sixth "pond" is a smaller wetland, lending us our "Six Lakes" moniker.)
"We are very pleased that new data will be collected on other areas of the site in this round," said steering committee member and Newhall advocate Elizabeth Hayes. "This information will help us move forward with conversations about the future end use of the property. We still have a long way to go, but this is progress!"
In addition to "surface and subsurface soil sampling" and surface water sampling, the scope of work for the newest plan, which was approved by DEEP on December 4th, includes "installation and sampling of new and existing [water] monitoring wells." Several old, damaged wells will be decommissioned. This work plan aims to characterize chemicals that exceeded state limits in the previous round of testing and to learn about chemicals that may be present in the new areas of investigation.
Hamden's Inland Wetlands Commission will review Olin's plans to be sure that any actions they take in the testing process do not damage wetlands onsite. Some "minor tree and vegetation clearing" is expected for the purpose of equipment access.
A comprehensive schedule of work plan activities is due to DEEP by January 3rd. Watch for Olin's consultant, WSP, to be present onsite soon!
Interested in reading the full 69-page plan? Visit DEEP's public portal:
Microsoft Word - REM_447_475PutnamAve_Hamden_IWP-Rev1_12022024
Six Lakes photo by Joe Blumberg |
