Gauges help monitor the application of potassium permanganate into injection wells .
tubing and rotosonic drilling techniques to map the vertical and horizontal extent of the contamination , resulting in significant cost savings for the project .
Ayres Associates prepared a three-dimensional groundwater flow model to evaluate vertical and horizontal flow at the site . Reverse particle tracking was used to determine the origin of contamination sources and evaluate the time of travel . Treatability studies were performed to evaluate chemical-oxidation and reduction-chlorination treatment technologies .
Treating the Contamination
Results of the treatability studies showed that in-situ chemical oxidation using potassium permanganate was the most cost-effective alternative . After the potassium permanganate was mixed , it was pumped directly into the ground through injection wells .
Drews , the WDNR project manager , said this type of treatment was unusual . “ The reason this method was selected was the contamination was significantly deeper than what you would see at a normal site ,” he said . “ It was down to about 200 feet . Most sites are less than 40 or 50 feet .
“ Hopefully , the process used to remediate the property will migrate down gradient of the targeted source area and take care of additional contamination that has migrated away from the site . The initial results are very good .” Some portions of the groundwater have shown more than a 99 % reduction in CVOC concentrations .
Before the use of this treatment technology , there was skepticism that such high levels of chlorinated compounds in groundwater could be successfully remediated . Cleanup efforts were completed in spring 2012 . “ There needs to be more long-term monitoring ,” Drews said , “ but so far we are pleased with the results . Ayres Associates did a good job of selecting and designing remedial options for this site .”
4│TRENDS