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EPA TO BEGIN CLEAN UP AT GILBERT and BENNET LAGOON WASTE SITE

Release Date: 11/21/2000
Contact Information: Alice Kaufman, EPA Community Affairs Office, (617) 918-1064

Boston - EPA will begin work next week on a $2,000,000 clean up at an industrial waste site in Georgetown, CT. Located off North Main Street in Georgetown (Redding), the approximate 6 acre lagoon was used as a waste disposal area for the Gilbert & Bennet Manufacturing Company until 1987. Waste containing lead and zinc from the company's wire fence manufacturing operations were disposed of in the lagoons.

Beginning November 27, EPA contractors will conduct detailed soil sampling at the site to determine the extent of contamination on the surface of the site. Contractors dressed in impermeable, white tyvek suits will collect samples and send them to an environmental laboratory for analysis.

"These are not chemicals to take lightly," said Mindy S. Lubber, EPA New England regional administrator. "Our job is to make sure that children and others are not exposed to chemicals that may cause health problems later in life. Our first step in the cleanup is making sure that people don't have access to the site where they can come in contact with contaminated soils."

As part of the cleanup efforts, EPA will:

• Secure the site to prevent unauthorized access. This may include repairing or upgrading existing fences as needed. The agency may provide security service during non-working hours to ensure adequate site surveillance.
  
• Depending on the findings from the soil study, EPA may excavate and dispose of additional contaminated soils and/or construct a protective cap over the area to ensure that people do not come in contact with contaminated soils.