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Township gets go-ahead to stem road-salt migration
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - September 02, 2010)
Township gets go-ahead to stem road-salt migration
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Chardon Township Trustees took the first steps last week to correct what the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has said is a migration of road salt into residential water wells.
Trustees unanimously approved two contracts with Burgess and Niple, an engineering firm, to prepare a work plan and begin taking corrective measures to prevent further salt migration. Trustees approved one contract for $5,700 for the work plan and another $26,100 for implementing it.
Trustee Steven Borawski said the EPA approved the plan the day after trustees approved the work.
The township was issued a notice of violation by the EPA in March. It stemmed from an analysis by the state agency after a resident downhill from the township maintenance garage complained of high-salt content in the water well.
EPA officials said the township maintenance garage was the likely source of the salt. They said decades of mixing salt and cinders on a gravel surface allowed the salt to migrate into underground aquifers.
Trustees met in special session last week with David Walker, of Burgess and Niple, and Eric Adams and Karthryn Epp, of the EPA.
Mr. Adams said EPA officials are asking that future handling of salt be done in an enclosed building. "We would recommend no salt outside," he said.
One of the first steps in the cleanup will be to determine the salt's impact on the soil, surface waters and underground water, Mr. Walker said.
He said the township will begin contacting nearby residents to set up times for collecting samples from their water wells. The EPA has identified 19 private wells on Woodie Glen, Mentor Road, Hampton Ridge and Breckenridge Road as possible impacted areas.
Trustee Charles Strazinsky Jr. asked that assurances be made that any samples from residential wells be taken before they pass through water conditioners. He said many township residents who moved out from the city may not be aware that water from many outside spigots are going through conditioners. He said assurances must be made to collect water directly from the wells.
Mr. Adams said he understands that confusion can sometimes occur, noting that officials have been assured by residents that their outside spigots are untreated, but they actually are.
Mr. Borawski said he wants residents to be able to sign up for sampling and set up appointments that are convenient to their schedules.
Mr. Adams said there are no set guidelines for how long the township may be required to monitor the area for salt impact.
"It's up in the air," he said. "We don't know how quickly the system responds to the plan and cleanup."
Mr. Borawski said the township should first consider removing soils from the area where salt and cinders have been mixed for decades to eliminate further contamination.
Trustee Michael Brown questioned the use of the term "contaminated," saying the area has been "impacted," not contaminated. "It's salt," he said.
Mr. Strazinsky questioned whether the soils should be removed, saying the township's plans include putting down asphalt in the area. He said, if the area is covered, no rain could reach the salt to carry it into the aquifers.
Mr. Walker said trustees could make the determination of soil removal once the area has been sampled and the extent of salt can be determined.
Mr. Adams said the EPA and the township are treading on new ground as they try to deal with the salt migration. "Salt is one of those unregulated substances, it's not hazardous waste," he said. Because it's nonhazardous, he said, "We don't have a hard and fast number for cleaning it up."
"You make the work plan and we'll come to agreement on what's acceptable," Mr. Adams said.
Mr. Adams said he understands that the township will soon be experiencing winter weather and that plans may have to be changed because of the weather. "We'll be sympathetic," he said, adding the state agency just wants to see a good-faith effort.
He said Chardon Township will be the first that has been asked to look at the problem, but it is a widespread one. "Historically, it's happening all over the country." He said there are two or three more cases in Southern Ohio. "It's kind of on the leading edge here," he said.
Mr. Brown said he has a fear that the township will spend money to clean up its site, only to find that it's not the source of the salt. But, he said, the township will do what is asked. "As a board we are going to do this as quickly and diligently and by the book as we need," he said.
Mr. Adams said the EPA is acting on what it found and is attempting to deal with it the best way known. He said officials need to remove the salt-impacted soils and build a new salt shed with a collection system to collect runoff.
Trustees briefly discussed what type of salt shed may be built this year or next, although there is disagreement among the board.
Mr. Brown and Mr. Strazinsky favor a tarp-covered structure, while Mr. Borawski said a wood-and-brick structure will serve the township better long term.
Mr. Borawski's position is also backed by township Road Superintendent Donald Mohney, who fears a tarp easily could rip while workers use machinery to scoop the salt.
Mr. Mohney said one tear could ruin the entire salt pile if moisture gets in.
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