EPA
Completes Cleanup at Morses Pond Culvert in Wellesley
Contact: Andrew Spejewski, EPA Press Office, 617-918-1014
For Immediate Release: June 14, 2002; Release # 02-06-12
BOSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today
the completion of a $3 million cleanup at Morses Pond in Wellesley,
Mass. EPA's 1 ½ year cleanup included removing chromium-contaminated
soil, treating soil on site, and installing a protective cap at the
site. Earlier this week Wellesley reopened town beach at Morses Pond
for swimming. The beach had been closed as a precaution during the
cleanup.
"This cleanup was a success in large part because of the
cooperation among EPA, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Protection and the Town of Wellesley," said Robert W. Varney,
regional administrator for EPA's New England Office. "People can now
relax and enjoy Morses Pond this summer without construction nearby
or concern about possible contamination."
"Working together, EPA and DEP have been able to clean up
contamination that has existed for over 100 years," said Lauren A.
Liss, commissioner of the Massachusetts DEP. "This effort will
result in a cleaner environment and increased protection of public
health for the residents of Wellesley."
EPA began the cleanup in October 2000 in response to a request
from the DEP. The cleanup addressed chromium contamination in soil
in and around a railroad embankment, a culvert which passes from
Morses Pond to Paintshop Pond under the embankment, an adjoining
residential property, and sediments within a 0.2 acre cove of the
pond at the mouth of the culvert. It is believed that the
contamination came from a paint factory formerly located adjacent to
Paintshop Pond, and was brought to the culvert site when
contaminated soil and/or waste from the factory was used as fill to
repair and extend the railroad and culvert embankment in the late
1800's. Over time, chromium eroded down the slope into the flat
areas and pond, and downstream through the culvert.
During the cleanup, EPA contractors removed over 3,000 tons of
chromium-contaminated soil and sediment for disposal in hazardous
waste landfills. Soil that could not be excavated due to structural
concerns around the culvert was treated in place and covered with a
low-permeability cap to reduce the chromium's toxicity and limit its
movement off-site and into the groundwater.
The DEP will oversee future maintenance of the cap and
groundwater studies at the site.
A related and coordinated cleanup has been ongoing at the former
paint factory site, located on property now owned by Wellesley
College. The college is undertaking the cleanup under the
supervision of the DEP. The DEP and the college have also
investigated related contamination in Lake Waben, which is
downstream of the ponds. Some cleanup has taken place at the lake
and further investigations of the lake are ongoing.
METADATA
- TITLE: EPA Completes Cleanup at
Morses Pond Culvert in Wellesley
- ABSTRACT: BOSTON – The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency announced today the completion of
a $3 million cleanup at Morses Pond in Wellesley, Mass. EPA's 1 ½
year cleanup included removing chromium-contaminated soil,
treating soil on site, and installing a protective cap at the
site. Earlier this week Wellesley reopened town beach at Morses
Pond for swimming. The beach had been closed as a precaution
during the cleanup.
- PURPOSE: Public Information
- ORIGINATOR: Regional
Administrator's Office
- PUBLICATION DATE:
06/14/2002
- ACCESS CONSTRAINTS: N/A
- AVAILABILITY: N/A
a.
Distributor:
b. Order Process:
c. Technical
Prerequisites:
d. Automated Linkage:
e. Downloadable
Files:
- COVERAGE: N/A
- TIME PERIOD OF COVERAGE: N/A
- POINT OF CONTACT FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION:
Andrew Spejewski
EPA Press Office
EPA New
England
1 Congress Street, Suite 1100 (RAA)
Boston, MA
02114-2023
(617) 918-1014
- RESPONSIBLE PARTY:
Andrew
Spejewski, EPA Press Office (617) 918-1014
Office of the
Regional Administrator
- DATE OF CREATION:
06/14/2002
- AGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
N/A
- EXPIRATION DATE: 07/14/2002
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