Havertown PCP Superfund Site: 5-Year Review (August 19, 2005)
The third 5-year review is “C” level work on a scale of “A” - “F.” It is unclear how far along this site is on the road to land health. Standards for site reuse are not included. Apparently, Haverford Commissioners didn’t spearhead an effort to secure better documentation. Officials or committees made no discernible input. One citizen raised issues about the site; it is not clear that these were understood or addressed.
In the 5-year review data presentations of contaminants are neither complete nor fully graphed. Changes in contaminant levels aren’t discussed nor is water at the site compared with drinking water standards or standards for discharge to the Commonwealth waters. Conclusions concerning abatement of hazardous substances are not included nor are mid-course corrections. No comparison is made with over 100 similar contaminated wood treater sites throughout the United States. No alternative scenarios are provided. Statistical methods
of analysis are not explained or just mysterious.
Currently, the cost of remediation is about $1Million/ year. The conclusion is inescapable: money must come from a bottomless well because there isn’t much to show for the effort despite pleadings otherwise, Haverford’s commissioners have jettisoned their involvement in this $20 Million dollar Superfund federal investment in their community.
To you commissioners and citizens, don’t continue this lethargy; the money pit will soon be empty, science to remediate the site will vanish – poof – and there will be nothing but unusable parcels of property leaching contaminants.
You have a list of people to call and write to. Inaction, diffusion or delegation of responsibility is not an answer. Respectful suggestion: take action now.
Michael
H. Levin, Ph.D., F.A.A.A.S. (PhilaMike@aol.com)
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