Category: Company News

EnviroForensics was recently able to achieve regulatory closure from the State of Indiana and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) for a valued dry cleaner client in Jasper, Indiana. Our client has shown immense gratitude that this issue has been cleared up as quickly as it has. She is looking to sell the business and with this NFA status, she will be able to move forward and finalize the sale.  This adds to a growing list of closures which we have obtained for our clients, allowing them to move past their environmental liability and utilize their property for its highest value, unencumbered from contamination and stigma.

We take pride in assisting our clients with all facets of an environmental investigation – from the initial response of contamination being detected, to investigation of the site, all the way to remediation and subsequently, site closure. We handle this all while helping our clients utilize their past insurance policies to pay for the costs of such work. Perchloroethylene (Perc) and other chlorinated solvents are complicated in nature and makeup, and due to this are difficult to clean up. That being said, EnviroForensics has obtained more regulatory site closures of sites contaminated with dry cleaning and chlorinated solvents than any other company in the Midwest.

About the Site

Our client began their operation in 1997 after converting the property from an ice cream parlor; there was no evidence found in historical records of dry cleaning operations prior to our client. Contamination was discovered late 2012, as Perc was detected in soil and groundwater samples collected from beneath the building. Under a demand for action by the IDEM, and under their oversight, the investigation and characterization of the site began. Of some concern during our investigation was the close proximity to a river. However, following our last investigation in January 2014, we concluded that minimal chlorinated concentrations in soil and in the initial water-bearing zone are isolated to a small area beneath the site near the current dry cleaning machine.

Using multiple lines of evidence we were able to prove that the contaminants were not migrating through groundwater or preferential pathways to offsite receptors or to the river.  Based on this information, we requested that the IDEM approve Site Characterization and recommended that the site pursue an Environmental Restrictive Covenant.  The IDEM responded in May 2015 stating that no further response actions are necessary and the site is available for closure.

We are happy to report that another one of our projects has resulted in a site closure with a “no further action” determination from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). EnviroForensics conducted an investigation for a client in Elkhart County, IN regarding TCE contamination found in the property’s groundwater. The TCE impacts were discovered during a commercial property transaction, and were subsequently reported to the IDEM under statutory obligation to do so. Our client was perplexed since they had never used TCE in any of their operations.

Subsurface investigations began in 2014, which consisted of widespread soil and groundwater testing. The results showed that although TCE was detected in the groundwater, no identifiable sources were found on the site.

The EnviroForensics team of experts was able to demonstrate several lines of evidence showing that this contamination was coming from an unknown up gradient source. In response to these findings, IDEM issued a “no further action” letter to the site in July, 2015.  Our client can now move past this incident and refocus fully on their active operations.

EnviroForensics was retained nearly three years ago to assist our client, an owner of a former manufacturing facility turned furniture showroom, with cleaning up old contamination beneath the property.  Historical operations conducted by past owners resulted in a release of chlorinated solvents in soil and groundwater.  The impacts were great enough to migrate off-site to positions beneath numerous properties owned by others.  EnviroForensics has conducted multiple investigations to fully characterize the soil and groundwater contamination and discovered that the source of the contaminant plume lay deep beneath our client’s building.  Groundwater samples were collected from multiple aquifers, at depth.  Retrieving true samples from the deepest aquifer presented a challenge related to a fear of cross-contaminating a shallower groundwater bearing zone that was not impacted.  Extra care also had to be taken to ensure that samples collected were truly representative of the impacted zone, and not a diluted result of intermixing of the two zones.  EnviroForensics installed multiple double-cased monitoring wells, two of which were located inside the building.  Double-cased wells are a special type, which are installed in such a manner that allows for the precise isolation of depth zones.  This lets the environmental professional collect groundwater samples from the intended depth.  The problem is that the installation of double-cased wells can be a cumbersome and messy project when working inside a building.

In an effort to preserve the integrity of our client’s newly renovated showroom, EnviroForensics staff isolated the work area diligently and practically encased themselves and the drill rig with plastic sheeting. All contaminated soils and water produced by the hole during drilling activities were quickly retrieved and carefully contained.  It can be easy to let drilling activities get messy, but EnviroForensics takes great pride in our ability to diligently complete our investigation work while respecting our client’s concerns and their property.  Many of our clients find themselves in the position of juggling the requirement to investigate their environmental responsibilities, while still operating a successful business.  EnviroForensics makes it our priority to keep them in business, while keeping our promise to help them take care of their environmental liabilities.

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About the Author:

     Project Manager at EnviroForensics

     Matthew Bono

     866.888.7911

     mbono@enviroforensics.com

Matthew Bono has over 3 years of professional experience in environmental consulting. He has been involved in subsurface investigations and remediation activities at facilities and properties impacted with chlorinated solvents, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons throughout the state of Indiana. Matt has assisted with data evaluation and reporting on all phases of projects from investigations through closure and has provided project management services including work scope development, budget management, and personnel management. He has provided oversight during remedial plan implementation, incorporating multiple technological approaches including pump and treat systems, soil vapor extraction (SVE), enhanced anaerobic bioremediation, thermal desorption, and soil excavation. Matt also has experience in contaminant transport and groundwater flow modeling. He has worked closely with clients and subcontractors, as well as state and federal regulators.

Teamwork by Klinke Cleaners, Wisconsin DNR and Wisconsin environmental consultants Enviroforensics keys successful dry cleaner cleanup

The success of Enviroforensics’ cleanup of a busy Wisconsin dry cleaning site may be summed up in one word: teamwork. In this case, a three-pronged project involving Klinke Cleaners — a familiar business in southern Wisconsin — the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and Enviroforensics, Inc.

Enviroforensics’ team of environmental experts cleaned decades-old pollution from under Klinke Drycleaners on University Avenue near the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison. For several weeks, workers drilled for soil samples, captured vapor samples (including from two area homes) and installed a vapor mitigation system under the building. All this was done without disrupting Klinke workers and customers and those of other nearby businesses.

“We hardly noticed,” says Katrina Sprang, manager of Ancora Coffee, a cafe sharing Klinke’s building.

The pollution is no longer a danger to the environment, and it will not return thanks to continued monitoring and Klinke’s conversion to modern drycleaning solvents. Remediating the site is a triumph of forward-thinking technology developed over the years by Enviroforensics.

The project started when the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources cited Klinke Cleaners, asking the company to examine the ground beneath its University Avenue store in Madison.

As a leading small business owner, Rich Klinke keeps abreast of his company’s 21 stores and their impact on its communities. He also monitors the changing state and federal regulations affecting drycleaners. He is a board member of the Wisconsin Fabricare Institute (and president in 2007-2008) and is a former president and board member of the Wisconsin DNR Drycleaners Environmental Response Fund (DERF). Klinke was ready when the WDNR made its request. He called Enviroforensics to find and root out the pollution.

Registered geologists Wayne Fassbender and Brian Kappen of Enviroforensics’ Waukesha office headed the Enviroforensics team. Fassbender points out that residue of old drycleaning solvents — such as PERC (Perchloroethylene) — is a known pollutant. Many drycleaners — including Klinke — are switching to more environmentally-friendly solvents, including DF-2000. The willingness and resources to remove old pollutants varies from company to company.

“Rich Klinke was ready and willing to tackle the problem,” says Fassbender. “The challenge was to remove the threat of vapor intrusion into the dry cleaners and, in one case, an adjoining coffee shop/cafe, and also remove the threat to groundwater.”

As the soil and vapor sampling progressed, contamination was found in soil beneath the building Klinke owns on University Avenue. The impacts were significant enough that vapors were accumulating beneath the building slab in amounts exceeding WDNR screening levels. Luckily, the soil contamination did not migrate to the groundwater table.

Enviroforensics enlisted help from an expert mitigation contractor, Vapor Protection Services (VPS) to address the vapor intrusion concerns. A sub-slab depressurization system (SSDS) was installed to mitigate sub-slab vapor concentrations and protect the building’s occupants from exposure to indoor air contaminants via vapor intrusion. Fassbender says the system includes a “slotted piping below the slab — in a gravel bed — to collect vapor. The vapor is pulled up above the roof line (by a fan) and vented out. A monitoring device is installed; the slab is under negative pressure to collect vapor in the below-slab system.”

The WDNR approved Klinke Cleaners for a DERF grant to begin the work. It issued a site closure for the University Avenue location in September of 2014. “Site closure” is a regulatory term indicating that no further environmental remediation is needed. The only condition to closure is to maintain and operate the SSDS until such time as the risk of vapor intrusion is no longer present.

Ask the geologists:

Wayne Fassbender, P.G., P.M.P.
Senior Project Manager
866-888-7911
wfassbender@enviroforensics.com

 

Brian J. Kappen, P.G.
Project Manager
866-888-7911
bkappen@enviroforensics.com

 

 

 

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The headquarters building of Klinke Cleaners is located at the site of the Klinke family’s first business — Klinke Hatcheries — that Maurice and Trudy Klinke opened in the 1930s. The Klinkes pioneered coin-op laundries and self-serve drycleaners in the 1950s and 60’s, and opened their first full-service drycleaners in Madison in 1969. Now, the third generation of the Klinke family operates 21 drycleaning locations in greater Madison and Milwaukee.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources inspects and supervises cleanup of pollution sites relating to small businesses. Its Small Business Environmental Assistance Program helps businesses deal with federal and state regulations. The Drycleaners Environmental Response Fund (DERF) is targeted to assist drycleaners with the expense of remediating soil and groundwater pollution.

Enviroforensics investigates and cleans soil, groundwater pollution and assesses and removes harmful vapors that may intrude into commercial workspaces. Its affiliate company, PolicyFind, Inc., locates old insurance policies that may help business owners pay for extensive pollution abatement and control. Enviroforensics is based in Indianapolis and handles projects in Wisconsin through the company’s Waukesha office.

NEWS

Date:                   February 19, 2014

Contact:

Guy Johnson (317) 503-4605, guy-pr@sbcglobal.net

Justin Gifford (317) 972-7870, 812-371-9189 (mobile),  jgifford@enviroforensics.com

H.B. 1241 would cost jobs, livelihoods, business owners tell Senate

A coalition of Indiana business owners is asking state senators to defeat a House-passed measure that would deny insurance coverage for cleaning up pollution.

The business owners say the proposed bill (H.B. 1241) would harm small and large employers alike because it would prevent business owners from being able to use their commercial general liability policies, as written, to cover pollution damages and remediation costs. The bill draft allows an insurer to have a free hand not to cover well-known pollutants or to define pollution so vaguely as to avoid paying for clean up.

The business owners sent letters to state senators in their district and will testify against the measure at 10 a.m. Thursday (Feb. 27) before the Senate Insurance Committee. (Statehouse room 130.)

In his letter to state senators hearing the bill, and in testimony prepared for the hearing, Steve Schmitt, who owns Don’s Clayton’s Fine Drycleaning in Evansville and Newburgh, says he has owned the business started by his father for 40 years and uses modern, approved chemicals that do not cause pollution. But insurance has helped him pay for cleaning up old chemicals. “This legislation in not retroactive, but it will put pressure on us in the future. Without the help of my insurance policy, I would have had to close my business and my 106 employees would have lost their jobs. I expect to pay for business insurance, but I also expect to buy reasonable coverage that I understand at an affordable cost. HB 1241 takes that option off the table.”

Another business owner testifying before the committee says his business doesn’t use chemicals, but he lives with the legacy of pollution left from a printer and battery manufacturer who previously owned his building.

Wes Hawk, owners of Office Furniture Mart in downtown Indianapolis, says, “I don’t have an ax to grind with insurance companies. They’ve treated me fairly. But this legislation just cannot stand. Similar legislation has been tried before and has lost on its merits when wiser heads prevailed.”

Hawk says he is in the process of cleaning pollution from underneath the building he has owned since 1995. The building passed environmental inspection then, but newer technology has uncovered pollution left behind by two previous owners.

Hawk says, “You can find stuff like this in the ground almost anywhere downtown or in an industrial setting. If current owners can’t be insured — something that H.B. 1241 would virtually guarantee — how is this stuff going to be cleaned up?”

The Indiana Supreme Court has previously reviewed the contracts that the legislation would allow and held that the exclusions were ambiguous and unenforceable.

The Indiana Legislative Services Agency has said the proposed bill would increase the workload of the Indiana Department of Insurance as it pursues administrative sanctions against insurance companies that fail to define their policies adequately to customers.

H.B. 1241 was written by Rep. Martin Carbaugh (R-District 81) and passed the House 57-36. It was sent to the Senate where it is sponsored by Sen. Travis Holdman (R – District 19).

Steven Meyer, assistant administrator of Brownfield Redevelopment for the City of Indianapolis says, “Indianapolis has a long history of successfully using insurance proceeds to revitalize properties and create jobs. This legislation puts at risk our ability to address the environmental contamination at sites across the city.”