UNC says it has committed itself to cleaning up problems at its off-campus Bingham Facility, but final solutions could take months — and new problems are cropping up in the meantime.
The facility, which houses animals used for research by UNC, stopped treating wastewater on-site after a series of leaks in the system. But the transportation of wastewater to Orange Water and Sewer Authority for treatment also stopped at the beginning of this month when unwanted chemicals were found in septic tanks.
UNC reported the presence of the chemicals — solvent toluene, antifreeze ethylene glycol and coolant propylene glycol — to the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources weeks later once they were identified through testing by two independent companies.
The chemicals were being used in the construction of a new building, and reached the septic tank through sewer lines. The chemicals have been completely contained, UNC reported, because the wastewater treatment systems have been shut down to repair previous leaks, according to a letter from UNC to DENR.
Orange Water and Sewer Authority would not take the contaminated wastewater because the toluene concentration was too high.
UNC hired Clean Harbors to clean the septic tanks and remove the wastewater. That cost will be billed to the contractors responsible for the leak, said Bruce Runberg, associate vice chancellor for facilities planning and construction.
In a message to neighbors of the facility, UNC pledged to more closely monitor the facility.
Residents have previously complained to the University because of leaks in the treated wastewater system, potential construction and a lack of communication from UNC.
Cliff Leath, a neighbor of the facility, said he thinks UNC administrators mean well and are being proactive, but are struggling to play catch up with the problems at Bingham.
“There’s a disconnect between the responsible parties and what’s going on at the site,” Leath said.
McKim and Creed, an engineering consulting firm based in Raleigh, is looking at the facility, its operations and its surroundings to offer a “conceptual solution” to leaks in the wastewater treatment system that initially stirred concern and anger among residents.
Areas they will examine include analysis of the soils and streams, testing for new wells, possible energy saving options and centralizing utility systems.
Those studies will take at least a month, Runberg said, during which time UNC will continue to rely on OWASA for wastewater treatment.
Runberg said McKim and Creed would likely be paid about $400,000, but stressed that the cost could change, as the fee hasn’t been negotiated. He attributed the potentially high cost to the firm’s large network of sub-consultants.
The story so far
-Nov. 18, 2009: A leak of treated wastewater is detected at UNC’s Bingham Facility. A liner breach in a storage pond results in 630 gallons being spilled.
-Dec. 14, 2009: UNC assures neighbors of the facility and other Orange County residents that none of the treated wastewater reached Collins Creek.
-Dec. 18, 2009: The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources issues UNC a notice of violation for the leak after state inspectors visited the site and found that wastewater did make it to Collins Creek, which eventually connects with Jordan Lake.
-Feb. 19, 2010: UNC reports a break in a distribution line the previous day that resulted in roughly 1,800 gallons of treated wastewater being spilled.
-Feb. 23, 2010: University administrators hold another town hall meeting to answer questions from concerned neighbors and residents. Bob Lowman, the associate vice chancellor for research who Chancellor Holden Thorp asked to oversee work at the Bingham Facility, meets with residents at the meeting.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
