Columns:: Remediation process begins over site of former UGA landfill

since 12/15/98

Columns::October 1, 2001

Annual Russell Symposium focuses on international security
UGA musical groups celebrate Spirit of America’
New portrait of Rogers will be added to presidential collection
Woodwork: UGA researchers conduct studies to determine strength characterstics of timber
Open enrollment period begins Oct. 15 for insurance plans
A message to the university community
Campus Closeup
Biological and ag engineering head will direct UGA faculty of engineering
College of Pharmacy names assistant dean
Kudos
And the beat goes on. . .

Campus News

Remediation process begins over site of former UGA landfill

Construction has begun on an impermeable cap over the site of a 1960s landfill off South Milledge Avenue. The landfill, which was fully permitted and legally operated at the time of its use by the university, ceased operating in 1979. It had been used to dispose of chemical and low-level radioactive waste materials from campus and area laboratories.
The less-than-one-acre site is located behind the Poultry Research Center. The project is being directed by the environmental engineering firm of Brown and Caldwell. Phillips and Jordan, Inc., a contractor specializing in landfill work, will construct the cap.
In 1986, routine inspections found low levels of groundwater contamination and UGA began investigating the site in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Division. The university contracted at that time with Brown and Caldwell to assist with monitoring the site and developing remediation measures.
A surface-water treatment system was installed in 1999 to remediate the water in a small stream near the site which ultimately joins the Middle Oconee River. In sampling since 1989, no contaminants have been found where the stream flows into the river.
The cap will prevent surface water, primarily rainwater, from flowing into the landfill and contaminating the groundwater underneath the site. The multi-layered cap conforms to EPD standards and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
In addition, UGA researchers last year constructed a phytoremediation system, which uses plants to filter contaminants naturally.

--Chuck Toney

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