North Shore Environmental Construction (NSEC) successfully completed a mercury cleanup at a municipal wastewater treatment plant on April 1, 2015. The project began in October 2014 and included mercury clean-up and decontamination of four trickling filter tanks and outer structures.
NSEC was contracted by the City to investigate and remediate the mercury release in accordance with Iowa DNR regulations. Releases of elemental mercury were identified at the North Plant during the site investigation performed on the four trickling filters prior to their decommissioning. NSEC removed 17,580 tons of filter rock media from the four trickling filters. The rock was tested (clean) and transported to the local landfill for beneficial re-use. NSEC decommissioned the four trickling filter bearings, packaged and disposed of them and the mercury debris at an offsite retort facility. The bearings had been leaking elemental mercury over the years. NSEC completed the cleanup efforts on time and without any incidents on site.
NSEC completed the mercury cleanup, structure decontamination and final air clearance sampling. No further action required by Iowa DNR based on completing the above outlined tasks and proper disposal of all waste associated with the remedial action.
This is the third successful mercury cleanup at a wastewater treatment plant completed by NSEC.
