Section 245.309. Site characterization

(a) Upon confirming that a reportable release has occurred in accordance with § 245.304 (relating to investigation of suspected releases) or after a reportable release from a storage tank is identified in another manner, the responsible party shall perform a site characterization.

(b) The objectives of a site characterization are to accomplish the following:

(1) Determine whether additional interim remedial actions are necessary to abate an imminent hazard to human health or the environment.

(2) Determine whether additional site characterization work is required upon completion of an interim remedial action.

(3) Determine or confirm the sources of contamination.

(4) Provide sufficient physical data, through field investigations, to determine the regulated substances involved, and the extent of migration of those regulated substances in surface water, groundwater, soil or sediment.

(5) Determine, from measurements at the site, values for input parameters including hydraulic conductivity, source dimensions, hydraulic gradient, water table fluctuation and fraction organic carbon necessary for fate and transport analysis.

(6) Provide sufficient information to select a remediation standard.

(7) Provide sufficient information to allow for completion of a remedial action plan or a design for remedial action.

(c) The responsible party shall conduct the site characterization activities necessary to satisfy the objectives established in subsection (b). The site characterization shall include the following tasks, as necessary, based on the nature, extent, type, volume or complexity of the release:

(1) Identifying the need for and initiating additional interim remedial actions.

(2) Opening and sampling storage tanks to determine the regulated substances stored in the tanks.

(3) Tightness testing or other release detection testing and monitoring to determine the structural integrity of the storage tank.

(4) Identify and sample affected water supplies and water supplies with the potential to be affected not previously identified or sampled under § 245.306(a)(4) (relating to interim remedial actions). The responsible party shall restore or replace an affected or diminished water supply in accordance with § 245.307 (relating to affected or diminished water supplies). The responsible party shall provide a copy of the sample results to the water supply owner and the Department within 5 days of receipt of the sample results from the laboratory.

(5) Determining the location of the ecological receptors identified in § 250.311(a) (relating to evaluation of ecological receptors).

(6) A review of the site history.

(7) A review and analysis of data from removal from service and interim remedial action activities.

(8) Using geophysical survey techniques to locate storage tanks and to determine geologic and hydrogeologic characteristics of affected hydrogeologic zones and hydrogeologic zones with the potential to be affected.

(9) Drilling soil borings, conducting soil gas surveys and collecting soil samples to determine soil characteristics and the horizontal and vertical extent of soil contamination.

(10) Using piezometers, well points, monitoring wells and public and private wells to:

(i) Determine the direction of groundwater flow.

(ii) Determine soil, geologic, hydrogeologic and aquifer characteristics.

(iii) Measure the horizontal extent and thickness of free product.

(iv) Sample groundwater to determine the horizontal and vertical extent of groundwater contamination.

(11) A demonstration that groundwater is not used or currently planned to be used.

(12) Sampling surface water and sediments to determine the extent of surface water and sediment contamination.

(13) Assessing potential migration pathways, including sewer lines, utility lines, wells, geologic structures and hydrogeologic conditions.

(14) Performing site surveying and topographic mapping.

(15) Developing a conceptual site model that describes the sources of contamination, fate and transport of contaminants and potential receptors.

(16) Handling and disposing of site characterization wastes.

(17) Preparing and implementing a site-specific plan for the provision of the following:

(i) Worker health and safety in accordance with OSHA requirements established at 29 CFR 1910.120 (relating to hazardous waste operations and emergency response), including health and safety policies, medical monitoring, training and refresher courses, emergency and decontamination procedures, personal protective equipment and standard work practices.

(ii) The identification, management and disposition of solid, hazardous, residual and other wastes generated as part of the site characterization.

(iii) A quality assurance/quality control program for the performance of site characterization field activities and for the accurate collection, storage, retrieval, reduction, analysis and interpretation of site characterization data.

(18) An analysis of the data collected as a result of the site characterization.

(19) Selection of a remediation standard.

(20) If the site-specific standard is selected, performance of a risk assessment in accordance with Chapter 250, Subchapter F (relating to exposure and risk determinations).

(21) Recommendation of preferred remedial action options.

(22) Recommendation for further site characterization work.

(23) Developing a conceptual design of the selected remedial action options and identifying additional investigations or pilot studies needed to design and implement a detailed remedial action plan.

(24) Additional tasks necessary to characterize the site.

The provisions of this § 245.309 amended November 30, 2001, effective December 1, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 6615. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (234711) to (234713).

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 245.306 (relating to interim remedial actions); and 25 Pa. Code § 245.310 (relating to site characterization report).