Acknowledgement to Great American A process tank at a wastewater treatment plant malfunctioned, discharging a large volume of untreated wastewater into a nearby stream. This discharge caused a fish kill as well as damage to many aquatic plants. The local regulatory authority issued fines to the operator of the wastewater treatment plant for the unauthorized […]

Acknowledgement to Great American A fire occurred in the middle of the night at a warehouse facility. Responders to the fire discovered heavy smoke settling over a nearby residential community. It was determined that various hazardous materials were stored in the warehouse and that vapors from the fire could present a health hazard. Residents were […]

Acknowledgement to Great American A dry cleaner tenant located in an upscale shopping center was found to have been illegally operating by failing to maintain adequate containment of spent perchloroethylene (PCE) solvent canisters. The canisters were stored in an exterior trash container and over time the PCE leaked onto the cracked macadam surface and eventually migrated off-site. […]

Acknowledgement to Great American A self storage facility repossessed a locker from a renter who had missed several payments. Upon gaining control of the rental space they found 12 drums of hazardous material. The renter could not be found, so the owner of the storage facility was required to pay for the cost of disposal […]

Acknowledgement to Great American A school district demolished a middle school built in the 1940’s in order to build a new school. During excavation activities, an unknown underground storage tank was discovered. Findings from an environmental study noted soil contamination. Localized groundwater contamination was found on the school property and at two adjacent residential locations […]

Acknowledgement to Great American A fire at a plastic recycling center broke out after hours causing the release of a large plume of toxic, black smoke into the air. This release caused a health advisory to be issued to residents, eventually leading to the evacuation of several homeowners. Residents of a neighboring community sued for […]

Acknowledgement to Great American A housing stock transfer was undertaken between a Local Authority and a private management company involving approximately 7,000 residential units. A problem emerged when unusually high levels of lead, arsenic and zinc were discovered on surrounding properties. When tests were conducted, it became apparent that the residential units had been built […]

Acknowledgement to Great American A small powder coating company which leased an industrial unit from a large property owner went into liquidation. Contractors employed to refurbish the unit discovered large, poorly maintained process tanks leaking chlorinated solvents. Furthermore, chemicals escaped through cracks in the concrete floor, causing extensive soil and groundwater contamination to the surrounding […]

Acknowledgement to Great American A dental practice operating within a large commercial/ residential condo building illegally dumped metals, including mercury, down various drains within their rented office unit for several years. The dumping was discovered during a routine state inspection and an environmental assessment company was hired by the building owner to assess the extent […]

Acknowledgement to Great American City inspectors received notice of possible building violations at a nursing home facility. Inspection of the facility found the building’s roof and interior were in violation of city codes. The violations were serious in nature including signs of water damage on ceilings, light fixtures, and electrical switches. Additionally, several employees reported […]

Acknowledgement to Great American A municipality purchased a former manufacturing facility as part of a larger Brownfield re-development project. After taking control of the property and beginning the project, the municipality discovered an old tank was missed during due diligence. Soil samples taken from the tank pit were impacted with petroleum. The area had to […]

Acknowledgement to Great American A small paint manufacturing company performed routine drum washing operations over a severely compromised concrete containment pad. Over time, solvent laced wash water migrated through cracks in the concrete and into the subsurface soils and groundwater. The plume of solvents traveled off site and contaminated a nearby municipal water supply well. […]