HomeMy WebLinkAboutMA Water Resouces - 3/22/1976I
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�aION
No.
t]3OX15 l)¢gu r 1L4-r Rhhfgg1 C'�.� _
March. 22, 1976_
t`",zoo Raul Boynton, Chairman
MaAnlfleld Conaorvatio:z Commission
Town Hall
Mansfield, Massachusetts 02010
Res Mansfield (AW11) Ramford River m Yiatheway & Patterson 006
Dear Mr. Hoyntonsf I'
It is the understanding of this office that on many 0009,13i )n w;�
members of your commission have observed oil sl1 "aft -Fulton Poe` �
Although the sources of these apparent oil RVjlls o V an unknown';.,,
you have registered a concern that 'the ongoi pit po Lsl.0 on problem '
upstream at Hathaway & Pattersata . -1wrzy be �ae zuse) tics office
does not support this su„�3loion rl tothe co.tis ot`a`as of YOU
control ,progtam implementers by,, thAjay ,& Patt4rson, . FacilitieO in
the past and presently misitai ed by �hi'g comp ay,l very efficiently
trap the ,.ldiating oil, film high olowl o .eps fix?Ia the river bank into
the Mate ; r® ink it f r coeval �t routiAe 't asis. Only in
extrEane as s of v y high cite levels; ice obs estion, would it bs'
likely that ne (1) gr.',two (2�, u S Of, )�;2 t)aol oil may escape the
entrapments facilities,, ai' d floa1�,,downnfrsJ"asn to a down wind location to
Fulton PonA.
As you are aware,, "this Division has been involved in this problem
since its first -notification in December, 1972. Shortly thereafter,
Hathewsay & patteroon Co. assumed the responsibility of controlling the
oil from discharging downstream and has proceeded in: a ❑sannor wtich
continues to pro -toot the Rumford River from Oil contemination.
Sn addition to the two (2) floating booms which are maintained in
the river, a partitioned fixed plywood baffle along the entire Shore—
line of past and present seepage points controls taie residue oil as
soon as it maims contaot with the watercossrse. III the pasty test pits
have ehbi-m that the quantity and pattern of oil migration within the
ground water table varies and relocates with time. It has become a
very slow process to monitor the flow of oil beneath -the grounds surface,
.,Mr. Paul Boynton
March 22, 1976
Page 2
and trap that which becomes exposed.
In the early fall of 1975, Hathaway & Patterson Co. installed a
groundwater oil retention baffle which is intended to intercept the oil
floating on the groundwater table, prior to discharge to the river,
and direct it to access chambers for removal. Recent observations
have shown that oil is being accumulated for removal behind the inground
baffle and appears to have been situated in such a position as to receive
the greatest percentage of contaminated groundwater.
It is presently Hathaway & Patterson Co.°s intention to enhance the
groundwater flow velocity toward the underground retention baffle effect-
ing a flushing of subsurface contamination between the origin of oil
inflow to the 'ground and the river. This will be accomplished by pump-
ing the groundwater table down in the area of the inground baffle to
attract greater quantities of. oil. The pumped water could then be re-
turned to the ground water adjacent to the company and increase subsur-
face flow.
This office feels that his proposal is a proper one to expedite
the solution to this oil problem and feels that it is in the beat in"
terests of the preservation of the Rumford River and the surrounding
natural habitat.
It is the opinion of this office thab the severai_amall oil slicks
which have been observed in Fulton Pond are from other sources and
require additional investigation by.local authorities and this office to
determine the origins.
This office 'looks forward to working with your Commission in the
future with regards to water pollution matters. 11'hanis you for your oon
tern and assistance in this matter,
Very truly yours,
William J. Marhoffer
Southeast Regiodai Engineer
wJMajd
act Mr. .lames P. Poster, 26 Draper Ave., Mansfield, Mass, 02048
NO. William V, Baynes, President, Hathaway & Patterson' Co.,
15 County St., Mansfield, Mass. 02048
vs. Dennis Harmon, Town Manager, Town Hall, Mansfield, Hasa. 02048