Weymouthport Condos

Massachusetts Contingency Plan Phases I – IV: Weymouthport Condominiums
Weymouth, Massachusetts

Overview

The Weymouthport Condominiums are the current residence of approximately 650 people, and the historic location of the largest fertilizer manufacturing facility in New England.  Elevated concentrations of metals were detected in sampling events of surface and subsurface soils and groundwater by Federal and state agencies who subsequently issued a Notice of Responsibility to Weymouthport to address this contamination.  Environmental Partners was awarded a contract to assist Weymouthport in assessing the extent of contamination and recommending/implementing a final solution.

Approach

Environmental Partners conducted a Phase 1 Site Investigation and Phase 2 Comprehensive Site Assessment to determine the nature and extent of contamination, and a Method 3 Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment.  The assessment of risk included a Stage II Environmental Risk Characterization to characterize the risk from the Site to the adjacent Weymouth Back River, a tributary to Quincy Bay, south of Boston Harbor, and permitting under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) and Wetlands Protection Act.
Using these studies, Environmental Partners developed a Phase 3 Remedy Implementation Plan and a Phase 4 Remedial Action Plan.  The remedial plan consisted of a multi-million dollar remediation and site restoration program funded by parties historically responsible for the contamination at the property.  Environmental Partners assisted in locating these parties under the provisions of Massachusetts General Law 21E.  It also included protection of coastal bank and boardwalks, and replacement of seawalls.
The remediation program was completed between mid-2003 and mid-2004 and consisted of a soil cap, new seawalls, off-site soil disposal, and a completely new site landscaping and amenities plan.  The entire MCP process has been successfully executed on a fast-track basis that is unprecedented in scale and manner of delivery.

Solution

Environmental Partners tailored the Remedy at the Site to directly address the risk posed by soil contamination, while minimizing the intrusiveness of the cleanup solution, and preserving and enhancing the appearance of the residential complex and existing coastal resources.  Environmental Partners segregated the site into 17 different separate areas – each with its own unique remedial solution – paving, soil cover, and/or geomembrane cover, with deed restrictions on the property.