U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 3
Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia
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1 BoRit Superfund site
' Community Update ^
Ambler borough, Upper Dublin &Whitpain townships, Pa September 2013
"Reservoir" Cleanup Underway
The Environmental Protection Agency
(Removal Program) started working on the
Reservoir portion of the BoRit Asbestos
Superfimd site during the second week of
September. The work will cover the exposed
asbestos on the bemis and floor of the Reser-
voir.
Other aspects of the BoRit cleanup
removal work are either complete or ongoing
- the Pile and adjacent stream banks of Rose
Valley Creek, Tannery Run and the Wissa-
hickon Creek are complete; the Park cover is
still ongoing.
The Reservoir is an approximately 11-acre-pond, formerly used to receive process water in the
asbestos-containing material production process. The beim of the reservoir is believed to be con-
structed of asbestos shingles, millboard and soil. Asbestos product waste, such as piping and tiles, was
visible surrounding the Reservoir and stream banks.
Currently, the Reservoir is owned by the Wissahickon Valley Waterfowl Preserve. The water in
the Reservoir is not being used for drinking or any other human activity. Waterfowl use the Reservoir
as habitat.
Although the cleanup plans for the Reservoir have not been finalized, it is anticipated that the
existing beim will be "extended" approximately 15 feet toward the water along the Pile and Rose Val-
ley Creek sides, approximately 75 feet along Maple Avenue, and approximately 30 feet along the Wis-
sahickon Creek.
In addition, the floor of the Reservoir will be covered and the contours of the floor will be
changed. For all that work to take place, the following steps are being taken: 1) the existing trees
around the Reservoir will be cut down: 2) the pond will be drained: 3) the pond water will be treated to
remove metals and asbestos, according to state guidelines; and 4) the treated water will be discharged
into the Wissahickon Creek.
During the draining of the pond, nearby residents may notice a nuisance odor coining from the
decomposing, organic materials in the sediments of the pond. The odor should only be temporary, until
work to cover the floor of the pond and refill it is underway
Once the work is completed, trees and vegetation will be planted to attract different varieties of
waterfowl. Water from one of the adjacent creeks will be pumped into the restored pond. Work is an-
ticipated to last six to nine months.
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For More Information
Field Office Location:
Websites:
49 Oak Street, Ambler
(215) 654-5190
Contacts:
Community Involvement Coordinator
Ruth Wuenschel, (215) 814-5540
wuenschel.ruth@epa.gov
On-Scene Coordinator
Eduardo Rovira, (215) 814-3436
rovira.eduardo@epa.gov
Remedial Project Manager
Jill Lowe (215) 814-3123
lowe.j ill@epa.gov
www. ep jos c. org / borit I EPA Removal Info.)
www .epa.gov/re? jhwmd / npl /
PAD981034887.htm
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