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September 22, 1998

.--.Ms. Diana EngemanU. S. Environmental Protection Agency . . * - j---v • - , - , — jRegion VII , Waste Management Division \ ^~.-.-•-—-——'• ——-726 Minnesota Avenue • - • • • -Kansas City, Kaasas 66101

Project: RAC Contract No. 68-W5-0014, Work Assignment No. 021-VOP-07NYDCN: 3270-007-RTSubject: Trip Report for Oversight of Natural Attenuation Monitoring Well and Soil Sampling at the

Mason City Coal Gas Site in Mason City, Iowa

Dear Ms. Engeman:

CDM Federal Programs Corporation (COM Federal) provided oversight for the U. S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency (USEPA) of PRP sampling activities conducted by Montgomery Watson at the MasonCity Former Manufactured Gas Plant (FMGP) Site on September 14 and 15, 1998.

Site activities were performed by Montgomery Watson, contractor for Alliant Utilities/Interstate PowerCompany. Onsite personnel included Randy Kroneman, Montgomery Watson Project Manager, and PeterGuy and Marc Dixon from Hydrologic Inc. Groundwater samples were collected from eight onsitemonitoring wells, and soil samples were collected from four locatioas at the Mason City FMGP Site. Siteactivities were conducted in accordance with a Sampling and Analysis Plan dated September 1, 1998.

Groundwater Sampling

All eight monitoring wells listed in the Sampling and Analysis Plan were purged at 1 to 2 liters per minutefor a minimum of three well volumes with a Waterra pump, and were sampled at the same flow rate for theparameters listed in the plan. It should be noted that the analytical methods specified for nitrate andmethane are nationally-recognized, but not EPA-approved methods. These methods are SM4500NO,D andASTM D1945, respectively. In addition to the laboratory analyses, water from each well was field testedfor ferrous iron and total manganese using Hach test kits. Test kit prcxedures were observed and found tobe in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Each well had dedicated tubing that was used topurge and sample the well, therefore, equipment decontamination was not required.

During purging, water from the wells was routed through the flow-through cell of a HydroLab Scout 2water quality meter that measured temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) from probes located in the cell. Readings were taken approximately every '/>gallon during purging. Prior to sampling, the water quality meter was disconnected, and the samples werecollected directly from the Waterra tubing in the well.

Purging and field measurement prcxedures were observed and appeared adequate for obtaining naturalattenuation data. Dissolved oxygen was less than 1 for several samples which provided confidence that airwas not introduced into the system during purging of the well.

Monitoring wells MW-4, MW-22, and MW-24 were purged by hand using the Waterra tubing until thewells went dry. Less than three well volumes were purged from these wells due to poor recharge. It shouldbe noted that the lack of water may have affected the dissolved oxygen readings from these wells as air was

COMMs. Diana EngemanSeptember 22, 1998Page 2

probably introduced into the system. After the wells recharged, they were immediately sampled withoutfurther purging.

Well MW-2 was the only well with a noticeable coal tar odor. All of the other wells appeared relativelyclean based on field observations.

Soil Sampling

Subsurface soil sampling was performed on September 15 by Hydrologic Inc. at four locations marked byRandy Kroneman. The locations were numbered NAS-1, NAS-2, NAS-3, and NAS^. The soil samplelocations are shown in the photographic log included with this report. Sample depths at each location werepredetermined by Mr. Kroneman based on historical water level data, and all intervals were observed to bebelow the water table elevation. The approximate locations and depths for the soil samples are as follows:

Sample No. Location Depth

NAS-1 30 feet west of MW-2 10-12'NAS-2 20 feet east of the gravel bed underlying the substation (NE corner) 13-16'NAS-3 N E corner of the I PW fenced yard 10-12'NAS-4 5 feet west of MW-6 8-9.5'

Sample NAS-1 had heavy coal tar contamination including a strong coal tar odor and black gooeyappearance. Samples NAS-2, NAS-3, and NAS^ appeared relatively clean. NAS-2 was collected from avery hard location where treated soil had been backfilled and compacted. NAS^t was collected from amore shallow than anticipated depth. Refusal occurred two times at the 10-12' interval with no soilrecovery. The shallower interval still appeared to be saturated.

On September 16, Mr. Kroneman made some measurements to identify the soil sample locations, andstated that the samples would be shipped to Keystone Laboratory that day after his return to Des Moines.

A copy of the logbook pages for this oversight visit is attached, and a photographic record is also included.If you have any questions on this report, please call me at (913) 492-8181 .

Sincerely,

COM FEDERAL PROGRAMS CORPORATION

Laura L. Splichal, CHMMProject Manager

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Photographic RecordSite Name:

Site Location:

CDM Federal Programs CorporationA sutuMta/x at Cmmp DTMMT i Mc*«« inc

Mason City FMGP SiteNatural Attenuation Sampling OversightMason City, Iowa

No. 1Description:

Groundwater samplingset up at MW-6 withWaterra pump and flow-through cell.

Photographer:Laura SplichalDate: 9/14/98

Time: 1405

Direction: Northwest

No. 2Description:Sample collection atMW-6 out of Waterratubing.

Photographer:Laura SplichalDate: 9/14/98

Time: 1427

Direction: Southeast

Photographic RecordSite Name:

Site Location:

CDM Federal Programs CorporationA lataxttiy at C*/np Drnt*r I MCKM inc

Mason City FMGP SiteNatural Attenuation Sampling OversightMason City, Iowa

No. 3Description:

Purging well MW-14.Water has substantialorange-brown sediment

Photographer:Laura SplichalDate: 9/14/98

Time: 1515

Direction: West

No. 4Description:Flow-through cellduring purging of MW-2. No air bubbles areevident in the cell.

Photographer:Laura SplichalDate: 9/14/98

Time: 1646

Direction: East

Photographic Record CDM Federal Programs Corporation4 wMOto/y a Cfmp Onttfr < UcKtf Inc

Site Name:

Site Location:

Mason City FMGP SiteNatural Attenuation Sampling OversightMason City, Iowa

No. 5Description:NAS-1 sample locationand decontaminationstation near the NWcomer of the FMGPproperty.Photographer:Laura SplichalDate: 9/15/98

Time: 0852

Direction: West

No. 6Description:NAS-2 sample locationNE of substation.

Photographer:Laura Splichal

Date: 9/15/98

Time: 0920

Direction: North

Photographic RecordSite Name:

Site Location:

CDM Federal Programs Corporation4 iutaa*ry ct Cimp Cm i~ ( MCKM IK

Mason City FMGP SiteNatural Attenuation Sampling OversightMason City, Iowa

No. 7Description:NAS-3 sample locationnear NE corner ofFMGP property.

Photographer:Laura Splichal

Date: 9/15/98

Time: 1121

Direction: Northeast

No. 8Description:NAS-4 sample locationnear well MW-6.

Photographer:Laura Splichal

Date: 9/15/98

Time: 1142

Direction: Southwest

Photographic COM Federal Programs Corporationtatutvy of Cvnp Dnttu t, McKft Inc

Site Name:Site Location:

Mason City FMGP SiteNatural Attenuation Sampling OversightMason City, Iowa

No. 9Description:Hand purging at wellMW-4.

Photographer:Laura SplichalDate: 9/15/98

Time: 1545

Direction: East