15 November 2018
From 1881 to 2018,
History and Remediation of a Coal Gas Plant, Charlestown, West Virginia
Mr. Joseph Foglio, CHMM
Between 1881 and 1953 a Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP)
operated along the Evetts Run Creek in rural Charles
Town, West Virginia, with its most recent operations under the Supertane Gas Corporation. The former Supertane
MGP used coal to produce gas that was then distributed to city customers via
subsurface gas lines. Although manufacturing operations ended at the MGP in
1953, former structures, including a gas holder, relief holder, gas producer
and coke shed were not demolished and remained onsite until the 1990s. The
property was purchased by a private landowner for a few thousand dollars to
block the construction of apartments and ultimately donated to the City for
construction of a park. The former MGP is situated within a residential
area and bounded on two sides by the Evitts Run Creek that flowed along its
western property boundary and a heavily wooded hillside to the south.
The City of Charles Town uncovered a black tar-like material
in soil in 1988 while installing a sewer liner near the property. Subsequent soil
sampling conducted by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources
identified a significant amount of residual coal tar and MGP-related byproducts
in the soils and shallow groundwater at the Site. Contaminants of concern
include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and benzene, toluene,
ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX). Initial remedial efforts conducted between
1990 and early 2000s by GeoTrans, Inc. included the
demolition and removal of former structures, the removal of approximately 2,000
cubic yards of soil and sludge, and the treatment of approximately 17,000
gallons of impacted water from within the gas holder which was subsequently
discharged into Evitts Run Creek.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the West
Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) determined the Site did
not qualify for listing on the National Priorities List; however, it was
requested by the EPA that additional Site investigation occur. Site
investigations completed throughout the 2000s resulted in the identification of
additional portions of the Site with soil containing PAHs and BTEX above the WV
de Minimis Standards for Residential Land Use and Migration to Groundwater
criteria standards on the Site and adjoining properties. Sediment samples collected
form the Evitts Run Creek also indicated the presence of PAHs.
GZA became involved with the remediation of the former Supertane MGP Site in 2015 when contacted by the City’s
current environmental consultant, Environmental Resources Consulting (ERC) to
assist with the design to remediate the remaining impacted soil at the
Site. ERC had secured funding through the EPA’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)
and mandatory contributions from the City and former property owner to
implement the remedy. The town had huge aspirations for the property,
including construction of a combination basketball court ice skating rink,
walking paths linked to a cross-County multi-modal trail system, elevated
boardwalk along the creek, an amphitheater nestled into the hillside, and a
parking lot over the capped site. The budget: an unclear number between
$500,000 and $750,000. GZA diligently worked to understand the nature and
extent of contamination on the Site the true needs of the City versus the
dreams of an overzealous community planner to develop a remedial design that
would provide a long-term, cost effective solution for the community.
Through a series of redesigns and competitive bidding, we were able to deliver
a multi-layer geosynthetic cap over the former MGP,
green space for community gatherings and pickup games of soccer (a community
favorite) with picturesque views of Evitts Run, rain garden to manage runoff
from the property, grading to accommodate future trails, and a parking
lot.
Our presentation will provide a brief overview of the
project and focus on the challenges GZA overcame following bidding of the
remedial activities through completion of construction. GZA served as the
Construction Manager as Agent for the City and was responsible for developing
lower cost solutions to completion of the work; managing an overwhelmed
contractor’s construction sequence and methods, schedule and budget; and ensure
that it all came together in time for a high-profile ribbon cutting ceremony
fit for Presidential-appointed EPA officials.