Good morning,
We want to respond to the recent Times Record Article and provide better context and a current update of the issue. Unfortunately, headlines can be misleading.
The PFAS issue at Brunswick Landing is both complex and rapidly evolving, since it was as declared a hazardous substance last year, and of course we had the unfortunate release in hangar 4 in August. The issue referred to in the article is associated with PFAS found in the pits and piping associated with the sanitary sewer system in Hangar 6. We believe recent aircraft washing in the hangar decks has activated some of the historical residual materials deep in the sewer system adjacent to hangar 6 (Floor drains connect to the oil/water separation (OWS) system and then flow to the sanitary sewer system). Based upon a recent inspection by Poole Fire Protection, LLC., there are no leaks, nor loss of foam in the Hangar 6 AFFF system (see attached). Now that the testing of the system has been conducted, MRRA has contracted with Clean Harbors to clean out and remove any residual PFAS in the OWS and adjacent sewer system. The work is planned for next week. It’s important to note that no OWS wastewater goes into the Brunswick Landing storm drain system, nor the community’s drinking water systems.
From a historical perspective, going back to 2011, it’s been a goal of MRRA to find solutions to remove PFAS from the Brunswick Landing campus and our fire protection systems in the hangars. We are currently working with Poole Fire protection, our hangar tenants, the Town Fire Department, and the State Fire Marshall to complete a risk assessment and develop a strategy for a fire code compliant system that will not require the use of AFFF systems. To that end, we are greatly encouraged, that with some modifications to the existing mechanical firefighting systems and business operations, we may be able to shut down the AFFF systems and remove the foam substances altogether. We hope to finalize this plan shortly.
As has been well documented by the Navy, DEP and the EPA, the soils and groundwater around portions of Brunswick Landing are contaminated with PFAS and other hazardous materials associated with the Navy’s historical long-term use of the property. That is why there is a campus wide restriction on the use of groundwater and certain parcels have additional land use controls and restrictions.
We will continue to try to update you on this rapidly evolving issue and other happenings on Brunswick Landing. The best source for up-to-date info and news can be found on our website www.brunswicklanding.us.
Sincerely,
Steve
Steve Levesque
Interim Executive Director
Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority
