Schools
Soil Testing to Resume at GHS During Winter Break
Environmental testing at Greenwich High School to resume Feb. 13-20; state still reviewing test results of samples taken from athletic fields in December.
Environmental testing at Greenwich High School — where during site preparation for the MISA Project — is expected to resume during the winter break, Feb. 13-20, so as to minimize disruption to school activities, according to a district statement.
Meanwhile testing of soil samples collected from seven athletic fields in December has been completed by the Town’s environmental consultant, AECOM, and the results “has been submitted to EPA, DPH and DEEP for review and approval by those agencies,” according to the Monday update from district spokeswoman Kim Eves.
“The goal is to receive approval for ,” the email states.
Find out what's happening in Greenwichwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Approximately 150 soil samples, 30 sediment samples, 7 surface water samples were tested, according to the update. The work also included the installation of four ground water monitoring wells.
The test results will define the scope of the cleanup, i.e. how much fill must be removed, and what the cost will be.
Find out what's happening in Greenwichwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“The preliminary cost estimates will begin to give the Town a sense of potential project costs and schedule,” the update states. “This information will be shared with site stakeholders and the community so that these groups may stay actively engaged in the process, provide comment, and have their questions answered as the overall remediation project is being designed.”
In September the and Representative Town Meeting for the additional environmental testing, which will reportedly include testing in the area where the school’s new auditorium will be built.
As reported on Greenwich Patch the contaminants were after an area near the school’s west parking lot was excavated to prepare for the construction of the new auditorium, stalling progress on the $17 million project before it even began (as well as and resulting in a ).
As a result, the EPA and state DEEP have mandated additional testing of the soils under — most of which are covered with artificial turf — as well as under the parking lot and at the site of the new auditorium in order to ensure conditions are safe for excavation and construction.
Monday's update does not offer any secifics as to the extent of the cleanup.
Although the MISA Building Committee is overseeing the auditorium construction project, the cleanup of the contaminated soil is being handled as a separate project overseen by the .
