Orange County NC Website
Minutes - Regular Meeting <br /> Solid Waste Advisory Board <br /> March 5, 2009 <br /> Approved April 2, 2009 <br /> that direction at that velocity in this concentration. Risk has to be from direct <br /> exposure through drinking, bathing, eating . To the northeast is a farm yard at 7300 <br /> Millhouse Rd . , which is the nearest potential resident. Several years ago the County <br /> sampled this well and some other wells in the area to make sure they didn t find any <br /> of these constituents in the residential wells . On the other side of the creek are <br /> commercial properties on public water supply . <br /> The corrective action program we will propose to the State includes a series of things . <br /> • Institutional controls - controlled access to the site and it is fairly well controlled . <br /> • Engineering controls include final cover, landfill gas vents . The cover consists of <br /> three layers soil, 18 " infiltration layer, a cap and clay material to keep rainwater <br /> from going into the garbage . The gas vents also draw moisture . <br /> • Natural attenuation, we' ve seen evidence that there is degradation going on to <br /> continue to break down the compounds [found in the groundwater] . This reduces <br /> concentration of the chemical naturally . We could propose to the State and they <br /> may accept to let nature do its course . We' d rather do more than that, like <br /> enhanced biodegradation. There are bacteria down there using it as food but there <br /> are compounds that can speed this up . Some may think it is not going fast enough <br /> and propose using direct oxidation to inject compounds to speed up degradation . <br /> to construct a couple of injection wells on the uphill side of <br /> We are proposing <br /> some of the wells where there is contamination and inject chemicals to enhance <br /> degradation . <br /> Richard Eckberg, I live about six miles from here and am a semi-retired industrial <br /> chemist. I am curious about what gets injected to enhance the oxidation . Is that some <br /> kind of peroxide compound? <br /> Ford replies yes . Some people use hydrogen peroxide . I' ve tried that under some <br /> conditions but the reaction can be so violent it can be dangerous . We prefer to use <br /> potassium permanganate . <br /> Eckberg asks if the potassium permanganate presents any environmental issues . <br /> Ford replies no it just ends up with the free potassium ions and manganese oxide <br /> which stains the aquifer black . It is highly approved by the State and EPA . Not <br /> having any adverse environmental impacts . I was concerned that using an oxidant <br /> would kill all the native bacteria colonies so that once you used direct oxidation, it <br /> would be difficult to go back to natural degradation . There are studies that show that <br /> is not happening . The bacteria will become dormant, but it' s not strong enough <br /> 3 <br />