Jump to main content.

Haviland Complex

Site Description

The 275 acre Haviland Complex site consists of a planned development that contains an apartment complex, a middle school, an elementary school, a shopping center, and a number of private homes. In 1981, a local resident became concerned because his well water was foaming. The Dutchess County Health Department found that the septic and sewage systems of a nearby car wash and laundromat had failed, contaminating the groundwater with volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In 1982, the laundromat installed a sand filter and a new tile field to handle the laundry effluent. The State also began an investigation and, in 1983, ordered the laundromat to disconnect the dry cleaning unit from the septic system and to dispose of all spent cleaning fluids off site at a licensed disposal facility. All residents in the area were advised to use bottled water. The wells servicing the Haviland Apartments and the laundromat had water treatment units installed in 1984 and 1985 to remove contaminants. Hyde Park has an estimated population of 21,000 people. Approximately 20% of the population are connected to a public sewer system, and over 50% are served by a public or private water supply system. The remaining population, including the residences located on the site, obtain water from residential wells. Groundwater discharges into Fall Kill Creek and to a nearby wetland.

Site Responsibility:

This site is being addressed through Federal and State actions.

NPL LISTING HISTORY

Proposed Date: 10/01/84
Final Date: 06/01/86

Threats and Contaminants

Groundwater contaminated with low levels of various VOCs has impacted seven residential wells. The affected residents have had household activated carbon treatment systems installed, which are regularly checked and maintained by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Metals contamination has not been detected at the homes.

Cleanup Approach

This site has been addressed in two stages: immediate actions and a longterm remedial phase for the entire site.

Response Action Status

Immediate Actions: The State installed carbon adsorption units in seven homes in the affected area. These units have been fully effective in removing contaminants from the water.

Entire Site: In 1987, the EPA selected a remedy to provide an alternate water supply, remediate the source of contamination, and to extract and treat contaminated groundwater; this remedy selection was documented in a Record of Decision (ROD). In 1990, the EPA cleaned out contaminated materials from the local septic disposal systems as the source control measure. EPA had been working with the Town of Hyde Park to arrive at a suitable plan for providing alternate water to the affected residents. However, the levels of contaminants in the aquifer, and therefore the affected residential wells, have decreased to levels that are near or below state and federal drinking water standards (i.e., Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs)) and the existing point-of-use treatment systems provide full protection from exposure to the remaining contamination. All Site-related contamination is expected to be below MCLs within the next five years. As a result, EPA evaluated the data and presented a plan to the community in September 1996 which proposed that the groundwater treatment and alternate water supply portions of the remedy were no longer warranted to protect human health and the environment. The ROD was amended in August 1997 to reflect this proposal. EPA will continue to monitor the groundwater to ensure that the amended remedy is protective. EPA installed additional monitoring wells in February 1999 and is conducting the ongoing monitoring plan.

Cleanup Progress

An estimated 46,000 gallons (7 homes @ 18 gpd for 11 years = 50.590 gallons) of groundwater have been treated via residential well treatment systems. 1,260 gallons of septic sludge was sent offsite for disposal. "Groundwater treatment@ via residential well carbon filters will continue for approximately 4 years (approx. 46,000 276,000 gallons).

Site Repository

Hyde Park Town Hall, (Route 9), P.O. Box 2002, Hyde Park, NY 12538

LocalNavigation

Jump to main content.