When talking about a clean environment, one of the most important features to consider is the impact of pollution on groundwater. Unlike other features of the earth like rock, soil, and clay, water is able to flow easily underground. Unique properties of water make it an excellent transport medium for a wide variety of pollutants, particularly heavy metals. Managing pollution in groundwater is crucial to any effort to prevent the spread of pollutants.
TSP Environmental has participated in numerous groundwater remediation efforts. Our service offerings span the range of treatment options including the construction of permanent remediation systems, the deployment of temporary remediation systems, and the installation of physical barriers to prevent groundwater from moving off site.
Permanent Groundwater Remediation Systems
A permanent groundwater remediation system is any system which is constructed for a specific contaminated groundwater site and which is not intended to be moved to a different site in the future. Permanent groundwater remediation systems take on a number of forms, though most are premised on the idea of extracting water from the ground, running it through some sort of treatment process, and discharging the treated water back into the ground or into the sewer system.
TSP is currently involved in long term projects which have a significant groundwater remediation component. In one project, the water of interest is landfill leachate; a liquid which, while not technically groundwater, is managed and treated according to the same principles. TSP constructed a leachate pretreatment system at the landfill to remove contaminants, particularly PCBs, from the leachate prior to discharge into the sanitary sewer. The system consists of a series of physical and chemical filters, including a granular activated carbon (GAC) filter to remove the PCBs and a chlorine injection system to inhibit biological growth.
Temporary Groundwater Remediation Systems
Temporary groundwater remediation systems are systems designed for use on a short-term basis to meet some temporary need. Temporary remediation systems can provide immediate relief to sites with severely contaminated groundwater, as a means to prevent the spread of contamination following an acute spill or during an emergency response, or as part of a water management plan during soil remediation. The principles underlying temporary remediation systems are similar to their more permanent counterparts.
TSP owns and operates a mobile water treatment system. Our system, built within a steel shipping container, is easily transported between job sites whenever temporary water remediation is required. Based on job requirements, TSP's water treatment system is available on a planned or emergency basis.
Preventing Groundwater Migration
Groundwater migration is a process by which contaminants within the groundwater moves off site with the groundwater. Preventing groundwater migration can be done either physically or chemically, depending on the nature of the site and the contaminants to be contained.
TSP has experience with installing physical barriers to prevent the flow of contaminated groundwater. In one recent project involving petroleum impacted soil and groundwater, TSP installed vinyl sheet piling – similar to the steel material used for building piers – to create a water-tight seal underground. At the same time, TSP installed an infiltration gallery to collect contaminated groundwater for treatment and discharge. This method saved the site owner significant costs compared to traditional excavation and pumping.