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Conceptual Site Models. A living model of known or suspected sources of contamination at a LUFT site, how and where the contamination has/will migrate, and the human and environmental receptors that are likely impacted.. The California SWRCB has requested that lead regulatory agencies direct RPs to
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1. Conceptual Site Models:
The Key to Successful assessment and corrective action California State Water Resources Control BoardLeaking Underground Fuel Tank (LUFT) Guidance Manual
2. Conceptual Site Models A living model of known or suspected sources of contamination at a LUFT site, how and where the contamination has/will migrate, and the human and environmental receptors that are likely impacted. The California SWRCB has requested that lead regulatory agencies direct RPs to prepare a Conceptual Site Model (CSM) for LUFT sites
Regulators, do you require a CSM?
RPs, do you utilize a CSM as a tool even when not requested?
3. Objectives of a CSM To convey an understanding of the origin, nature, and lateral and vertical extent of contamination
To identify potential contaminant fate and transport processes and pathways
To identify potential human and environmental receptors that may be impacted by the contamination
Used by stakeholders to make decisions regarding investigation, remedial actions, data gaps, and risk management
4. The Benefits of a CSM Provides a framework for the entire investigation, mitigation, closure process
Serves as a communication tool for stakeholders
Can help stakeholders reduce project costs and reduce the time to case closure
Decreases the cost and time for individuals to get familiar with a project if changes in regulatory oversight, state funding, or environmental consulting personnel occur
Help expedite the review of work plans, reports, reimbursement requests, NFA requests, and appeals
Increases the ability to explain site data and predict future findings
5. A CSM starts as a simple understanding of site historical information and previously-gathered data and builds details as investigation continues. Developing a CSM
6. Background Information Site address, Parcel Number, Contact Info
Current and future land use
Summary of former land use and property ownership
Brief description of former and existing contaminant storage and dispensing facilities
Land use of adjacent properties and surrounding area
Comprehensive plan and zoning designations for the site and adjacent properties
Recent aerial photograph, and historical aerial photographs if relevant
Future site use and development plans
7. Geologic Setting Site topography and elevation
Regional or local geologic conditions
Site-specific soil texture/lithology, stratigraphy, and structures that may affect contaminant occurrence and extent
A cross-section figure showing soil horizons and depth to groundwater
8. Hydrology Nearby surface-water bodies and beneficial uses
Groundwater basin beneath the site
Designated beneficial uses of groundwater
Groundwater occurrence
Groundwater depth and its seasonal and known historical fluctuation
Groundwater flow and the inter-connectedness of aquifers
Summary of the results of any water-quality testing
9. Historical Environmental Information Summarize contaminant release history and work performed to assess and mitigate the contamination
The goal of this section is to provide a road map and dates of major actions, identify the major conclusions of each phase of work
This section should not restate every detail of each past report or the laboratory results for each sample
10. Release Identification and Description The source of the release
Equipment details
The location of historical and active USTs, dispensers, and product piping
Details about the specific release location(s)
The type of fuel released and the COCs
The historical use of fuel additives (e.g., MTBE, other fuel oxygenates, lead, lead scavengers
The media that are impacted (secondary ongoing sources of contamination)
11. Nature and Extent of Contamination Lateral and vertical extent of:
Non-aqueous-phase liquid (NAPL)
COCs in unsaturated-zone soil
COCs in saturated-zone and the smear zone
COCs in groundwater
COCs in subsurface vapor
Their trend over time
12. Source, Pathway, Receptor Examples of Receptors People living or working at the site or in the neighborhood
People drinking from contaminated aquifer
Children attending school near the site
Potential Receptors
13. Determining Receptors The current and future use of the site
The current and likely future use of the surrounding area
The location and depth of subsurface utilities in the area
Zoning of the site and the surrounding area
Conditional uses typically allowed in the site vicinity
Other observations, land use data, and demographics
14. Determining Receptor Radius If plume is stable and adequately assessed, radius can be justified by constructing a graph which plots the average COC concentration vs. distance along the direction of COC migration
The area may be increased if assessment indicates the plume is unstable or that contamination has migrated beyond the limits of the previous survey.
400 Feet of the Site
Land use
Sensitive receptors
Domestic wells
Basements and sumps containing groundwater
2000 Feet of the Site
Water-supply wells
15. Pathways Three Components to a Complete Pathway
An environmental media and transport mechanism
A point of exposure
A route of exposure
16. Environmental Media and Transport Soil
Groundwater
Surface water
Air
17. Point of Exposure A utility corridor
Drinking water well
Recreational surface water body
Basement
18. Route of Exposure Ingestion (Eating or drinking)
Direct contact
Breathing
19. Completing the Pathway A complete pathway includes a source of contamination, an environmental media and transport mechanism, a point of exposure, a route of exposure, and a receptor. In order to make decisions regarding investigation and remediation at the LUFT site, the RP must determine if complete pathway(s) exists.
If they do:
Immediate remedial action may be necessary
Not enough information to determine:
Additional assessment may be necessary
If they dont:
Site may be ready for closure
20. Your Input The LUFT Manual will be available at the SWRCB website for public comment
Questions, comments, want to be altered when the Manual is public?
Send your questions and comments to the LUFT Manual email address at luftmanual@onesullivan.com
Or access http://caluftmanual.org/contact.php. and fill out the on-line form
Contact Adrienne Barnes at abarnes@onesullivan.com or 720-413-9703