Commissioner: Sullivan’s Ledge Superfund plant is running but needs study; upgrades to meet modern contaminants could cost millions

Commissioner Jamie Pont told the council Sullivan’s Ledge — a Superfund site operated by the city — is currently operational but under study to determine whether upgrades will be required to address emerging contaminants and to replace aging infrastructure.

Pont said the plant was suspended in a previous period after testing and later restarted to ensure the system continued to capture and treat subsurface plumes; he said the site is monitored and currently performing “at 100% for what it was intended to do.” The commissioner and councilors discussed the site’s cap, monitoring wells, pump and extraction systems, and a consent‑decree escrow account historically used to pay for certain plant upgrades.

Why it matters: Sullivan’s Ledge is a Superfund site with a consent decree that governs operation and maintenance. Pont told the committee a study is underway to estimate the cost to modernize the facility — including possible treatment for PFAS and other emergent contaminants — and that costs for rebuilding or significant upgrades would likely be in the millions.

Key details - Current operations: Pont said the system is operational and monitoring wells around the site are in place; earlier suspension and restart were driven by testing and regulatory review. - Upgrade study: The department has commissioned a study to evaluate options and costs for rebuilding or upgrading the treatment plant; Pont said incorporating treatment for emergent contaminants such as PFAS would increase scope and cost. - Consent decree escrow: Pont said an escrow account tied to the consent decree exists and has been used historically (for SCADA upgrades and other work) with agreement of the Superfund parties; the budget shows a small escrow payment line item and a $20,963 on‑site repairs line for required operations and maintenance. - Vegetation and site maintenance: The site is capped; vegetation management is required to ensure cap integrity and drainage trenches must be maintained so stormwater does not cause problems. Pont said staff are working to correct a trench overflow that sends water toward Hathaway Road.

What councilors asked: Councilors sought estimated upgrade costs (Pont said “not cheap” and likely in the millions), clarification of escrow uses and whether federal funding sources could be pursued. Pont said the Superfund group remains a party to the site and that the city would explore funding avenues once the study produces cost estimates.

Ending Pont asked for council patience while the study proceeds and noted the city will follow the regulatory agencies’ directions; councilors urged staff to pursue federal and Superfund avenues for funding rather than relying solely on local taxpayers.