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EPA Completes Cleanup at Morses Pond Culvert in Wellesley

Release Date: 06/14/2002
Contact Information: Andrew Spejewski, EPA Press Office, 617-918-1014

BOSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today the completion of a $3 million cleanup at Morses Pond in Wellesley, Mass. EPA's 1 ½ year cleanup included removing chromium-contaminated soil, treating soil on site, and installing a protective cap at the site. Earlier this week Wellesley reopened town beach at Morses Pond for swimming. The beach had been closed as a precaution during the cleanup.

"This cleanup was a success in large part because of the cooperation among EPA, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Town of Wellesley," said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator for EPA's New England Office. "People can now relax and enjoy Morses Pond this summer without construction nearby or concern about possible contamination."

"Working together, EPA and DEP have been able to clean up contamination that has existed for over 100 years," said Lauren A. Liss, commissioner of the Massachusetts DEP. "This effort will result in a cleaner environment and increased protection of public health for the residents of Wellesley."

EPA began the cleanup in October 2000 in response to a request from the DEP. The cleanup addressed chromium contamination in soil in and around a railroad embankment, a culvert which passes from Morses Pond to Paintshop Pond under the embankment, an adjoining residential property, and sediments within a 0.2 acre cove of the pond at the mouth of the culvert. It is believed that the contamination came from a paint factory formerly located adjacent to Paintshop Pond, and was brought to the culvert site when contaminated soil and/or waste from the factory was used as fill to repair and extend the railroad and culvert embankment in the late 1800's. Over time, chromium eroded down the slope into the flat areas and pond, and downstream through the culvert.

During the cleanup, EPA contractors removed over 3,000 tons of chromium-contaminated soil and sediment for disposal in hazardous waste landfills. Soil that could not be excavated due to structural concerns around the culvert was treated in place and covered with a low-permeability cap to reduce the chromium's toxicity and limit its movement off-site and into the groundwater.

The DEP will oversee future maintenance of the cap and groundwater studies at the site.

A related and coordinated cleanup has been ongoing at the former paint factory site, located on property now owned by Wellesley College. The college is undertaking the cleanup under the supervision of the DEP. The DEP and the college have also investigated related contamination in Lake Waben, which is downstream of the ponds. Some cleanup has taken place at the lake and further investigations of the lake are ongoing.