Groundwater remediation at a former oil service site

Abstract

As an intern with URS Corporation, I participated in several remediation and wastewater treatment projects during the year 2004. A groundwater remediation project was selected to present in this record of study for my Doctor of Engineering degree not only because I spent more time on it than any other project, but also because it represents the broadness and depth of a typical URS remediation project. In this report, findings from previous environmental investigations were summarized and used for computer modeling and remediation strategy evaluation. Computer models were used to simulate site conditions and assist in remedy design for the site. Current pump-and-treat systems were evaluated by the model under various scenarios. Recommendations were made for the pump-and-treat system to control the contaminant plume. Various remediation technologies were evaluated and compared for their applicability at the site. A combination of on-site remediation and downgradient plume control was chosen as the site remediation strategy. Treatability studies and additional modeling work are needed for the remediation system design and optimization.