Soil testing reveals 2100 cubic yards of contaminated topsoil at Mount Norton site

In a recent meeting of the Next Generation School Building Committee in Cheshire, Connecticut, members gathered to discuss the critical issue of excess topsoil testing at the construction site. The atmosphere was charged with urgency as committee members reviewed the findings from a testing agency regarding approximately 7,500 cubic yards of topsoil, which had been classified into three categories: clean, polluted, and contaminated.

The discussion began with a detailed breakdown of the testing costs, which totaled $21,346.10. This included expenses for sample collection and analysis, with the testing agency charging $1,000 per visit and $9.29 per sample. The committee noted that while clean soil could be removed from the site without additional costs, polluted soil could potentially be reused on-site, depending on available space. However, the contaminated soil, amounting to about 2,100 cubic yards, must be disposed of properly, adhering to EPA and DEP regulations.

As the meeting progressed, members expressed concern over the implications of naturally occurring heavy metals found in the clean soil. Although these levels exceeded the minimum thresholds set by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the committee was reassured that the soil could still be utilized for non-structural purposes, such as playgrounds. However, the need to notify DEEP before any off-site movement of this soil added another layer of complexity to the project.

The timeline for addressing the topsoil situation was also a focal point of the discussion. Plans were initially in place to begin removing the clean soil immediately, but the discovery of elevated metal levels necessitated a reevaluation. The committee is now working closely with the testing agency and local engineers to devise a strategy that maximizes on-site reuse of the soil while minimizing disposal costs for the contaminated material.

As the meeting concluded, the committee members left with a renewed sense of purpose, determined to navigate the challenges posed by the topsoil testing results. Their commitment to ensuring a safe and efficient construction process reflects the broader goal of creating a sustainable educational environment for the community's future.