AUGUSTA, MAINE, September 5, 2024 — As operations move from the response phase to the long-term remediation phase, Unified Command will cease operations at close of business today. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) operational staff will continue to oversee Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority's (MRRA) and DEP’s hired contractor efforts via MRRA’s environmental consultant. Sevee & Maher Engineers (SME), an environmental contractor, has been hired by MRRA at the request of the DEP to facilitate the transition from an emergency response to a longer-term remediation operation.
Foam production is currently at a minimum; the majority of sites no longer require foam collection, and the one area that is still producing a small quantity of foam, does not require daily collection. Consequently, MRRA will transition from daily foam recovery to every other day foam removal. This requirement will be reviewed on a weekly basis.
In the coming days, impacted water that is presently being held in frac tanks will be taken off site in 5,000-gallon increments. This effort is being coordinated by MRRA for out-of-state disposal. DEP and MRRA are working together to sample the frac tanks prior to removal in order to properly characterize the contents.
Soil sampling at the former BNAS site is being completed today. DEP is collecting soil for PFAS analysis from three areas – an area near Hangar 4, from the grassy area west of the Recreation Center, and from an onsite area off Neptune Drive near the confluence of Ponds B and C (south of the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust property).
Next week, DEP personnel will go door-to-door to speak with homeowners along Coombs Road from the southern intersection with Gurnet Road up to roughly a quarter mile past the intersection with Hawkins Lane, including properties on Hawkins Lane and Purinton Road. The purpose of the outreach is to discuss sampling of their drinking water well for PFAS. Approximately 45 residential properties have been identified by the Department for sampling. DEP staff will leave contact information if the property owner is not home so that follow-up can take place.
The public drinking water supply to Brunswick Landing comes from the Brunswick- Topsham Water District (BTWD) and has been confirmed safe to drink. The public water supply has not been impacted by this incident. Homes and businesses served by the BTWD can safely use the water.
The Maine CDC advises the public to avoid contact with foam, and to exercise caution and abstain from any recreational activities (such as swimming, boating, and wading) that may come into contact with the foam or waters until the possible effects of the AFFF release on waterbodies in the vicinity have been thoroughly evaluated.
The next update will be issued as soon as additional test results become available.
