By Hank Russell
Contractors with Northrop Grumman began the second phase of the thermal cleanup at the former Grumman settling ponds located at Bethpage Community Park. This is considered to be a scientifically proven and safe cleanup method that ensures the protection of public health and the environment, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
The first phase of the thermal cleanup from August 2020 to May 2022 addressed TCE and other contamination in deep soil (approximately 35 to 45 feet beneath the ground surface) in and adjacent to the former ballfield area of the park. Northrop Grumman contractors began the construction of the second phase of the thermal remedy in late 2023.
The first phase of the thermal remedy removed more than 1,500 pounds of contamination and the groundwater extraction wells continue to prevent contaminants from leaving the park. The DEC claims the wells have treated more than 1.3 billion gallons of water since operation began in 2009, and the system has removed more than 2,500 pounds of VOC contamination.
During Phase 2, data from extensive soil sampling drove the scientific analysis, design, and drilling of more than 380 thermal remediation wells. Phase 3 will address hotspot contamination in a third area of the park, with work starting upon decommissioning of the equipment used in Phase 2.
According to the DEC, thermal heating involves inserting metal rods into the ground at approximately 30 to 60 feet below the surface and applying electrical current. The energy created by the electric current heats the soil to temperatures of 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit) to vaporize both the VOCs and water in the soil. Vapors are then safely removed by applying a continuous vacuum suction process that brings them to a specialized treatment system at the surface.
The system then fully treats the recovered vapors to remove contaminants before treated air is released. This thermal treatment includes a series of temperature and monitoring points in and along the margins of the treatment area to demonstrate the vacuum is operating effectively in the treatment area.
Northrop Grumman is required by the DEC to conduct air monitoring in the work area and along the margins of the former ballfield to ensure there are no off-site impacts and the health of the adjacent community is protected. DEC continues to rigorously oversee work in the former Grumman settling ponds to ensure the system is maintained and operating effectively.
Earlier this year, during the final drilling of wells for the second phase of the thermal cleanup, Northrop-Grumman’s contractors discovered and removed 22 concrete-encased drums in the former Grumman settling ponds area of the park, which is where the bulk of disposal took place while the property was owned by Northrop Grumman.
While the thermal cleanup is implemented, Northrop Grumman will develop plans to excavate soil containing PCBs and metals from the former Grumman settling ponds area and dispose of it off-site. This work will proceed after the required agreement is reached between the property owner, the town of Oyster Bay, and Northrop Grumman on a scope of work that will be submitted and subsequently approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Once approved, the excavation will be performed in accordance with DEC-approved work plans following completion of Phase 2 of the thermal remedy.
“The health of the Bethpage community is New York State’s top priority and, under the direction of Governor Kathy Hochul, DEC is holding Northrop Grumman to a strict schedule to ensure the comprehensive cleanup of the park proceeds expeditiously and stays on track,” said Interim DEC Commissioner Sean Mahar. “Implementation of the thermal remedy to address deep contamination at the former Grumman settling ponds is the next step in this process and we look forward to continuing our work with the community to advance an effective and lasting cleanup that protects water quality by preventing the further spread of the Navy-Grumman groundwater plume and fully restores the park for all residents to safely enjoy.”
As previously reported in Long Island Life & Politics, 55-gallon drums were extracted from the soil. The drums were secured in concrete coffins, which environmental experts say is highly uncommon. Because of these unusual circumstances, Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino believes the drums were put at the site on purpose. At the time, he did not know when the cleanup will be completed.
Saladino also told LILP at the time that Northrop Grumman had been aware of the hazards they had created in the environment. An investigation that took place in 2020 revealed Grumman had known about the contamination and environmental dangers as early as the 1970s and purposely kept the information secret from the public. Saladino also complained that Northrop Grumman was taking too long to clean up the property.
“No one should be fooled as Grumman must meet much greater benchmarks to prove to the public that it’s serious about fully remediating the park,” Saladino said. “They have a lot more to accomplish.”