Hugo Neu Corporation Sustainability Seminar Series: Design and Construction of Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement Facilities Gowanus Canal Superfund Site - Brooklyn, New York

ABSTRACT

The Gowanus Canal is a 1.8-mile-long canal in Brooklyn, New York that was created in the mid-nineteenth century by channeling local tidal wetlands and freshwater streams. It was a major cargo transportation hub through the first half of the twentieth century. It is among the most polluted bodies of water in the United States because of discharges from the numerous heavy industries located along the canal. The canal was designated a Superfund site in 2009. The U.S. EPA issued its Record of Decision in 2013, which spells out the remedial actions selected to address contaminated sediments within the canal and to prevent future recontamination. An important element of the remedy is controlling discharges of untreated wastewater from combined sewers that occur during wet weather events. The combined sewers convey both sanitary wastewater and stormwater and were constructed in the 1860s. During heavy rainfall events, the capacity of the wastewater treatment plants to process the water is exceeded, and the sewage-stormwater mixture is discharged directly to the canal. Based on the remedial investigations and feasibility studies completed as part of the Superfund process, EPA determined that the construction of retention tanks to reduce the occurrence of combined sewer discharges would protect against future recontamination of the canal. The retention tanks will store the untreated sewage stormwater until rainfall subsides and the water can be sent to the treatment plants. Siting studies were conducted to select appropriate locations for the facilities. Two retention tanks were designed, an eight-million-gallon tank at the head end of the canal and a four-million-gallon tank near the midpoint of the canal. Both facilities are located on properties that have been contaminated from historic industrial uses. Therefore, the design had to include provisions to manage contaminated soil and groundwater during construction of the facilities. The design also incorporates sustainability measures consistent with EPA’s Clean and Green policy. Both facilities are currently under construction.

BIOGRAPHY

Jeff Caputi has nearly 40 years of experience as a consulting environmental engineer. He has provided strategic and engineering direction for remediation of some of the most complex and high-profile hazardous waste sites in the United States. His work has encompassed the full range of remedial activities, from site characterization and remedy selection through design, construction, operation, remedy optimization, and closure. He is experienced in site investigations, risk assessments, feasibility studies, treatability studies, and technology demonstrations, remedial action plans, remedial design, demolition and decommissioning, closure/post-closure plans, permitting, audits, cost estimating, construction management, construction quality assurance, operation and maintenance, remedy optimization, emerging contaminants, innovative technologies, sustainable remediation, regulatory agency negotiations, community relations, integrated project delivery, and land recycling.

Mr. Caputi holds a BS in Environmental Engineering Technology and an MS in Environmental Engineering with a minor in Toxicology from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He is a licensed professional engineer and a licensed environmental professional in several states. He has been an active member of many professional organizations including the Licensed Site Professionals Association, Environmental Professionals Organization of Connecticut, Chemistry Council of New Jersey, New Jersey Environmental Business Council, and the Sustainable Remediation Forum.

Zoom Link:

https://stevens.zoom.us/j/95230825698

Website:

https://www.stevens.edu/sustainability-seminar-series

Jointly Sponsored by:

HUGO NEU Corporation
Geosyntec Consultants
WSP
Brown and Caldwell
H2M Architects and Engineers
Catalyst Group
Lozier Inc.
Dewberry

Contact:

Dr. Dibs Sarkar