Soil and Groundwater
Remediation Services:
Soil and groundwater quality testing and evaluation
Remediation design and construction services
Regulatory support and negotiation
Water quality permitting support
Soil and groundwater monitoring plans
For over 20 years, I have either worked closely with or obtained professional consulting services from Richard. This includes over 20 small and large projects that we have collaborated on. He is an excellent consultant combining superb technical skills with an easy-going manner that makes it a pleasure to work with him. I would highly recommend Richard for any project where groundwater expertise is required. - Roy Kuroiwa
Senior Program Manager,
Port of Seattle
Soil and Groundwater Remediation
Evaluation and cleanup of soil and groundwater contamination can greatly impact the redevelopmnent of a site because of potential uncertainties in schedule and cost. The key to a successful cleanup is a clear understanding of the subsurface conditions that influence the fate and transport of contaminants, a focused remedial approach that best addresses the site conditions and specific types of contaminants, and the ability to negotiate the often challenging and ever changing rules with the regulators.
Injection of HRC microemulsion at a former dry cleaning site
In addition to the traditional environmental cleanup projects, evaluation and management of contaminated water has become increasingly challenging during construction of a project. From management of stormwater to disposal of dewatering effluent, stricter water quality requirements can greatly impact a project, and a clear understanding of handling and disposal options is required to reduce project delays and costs.
From small fuel tank leaks (Seattle Tennis Club) to large superfund sites (Port of Tacoma Sitcum Waterway), Richard has worked on the full spectrum of environmental projects. His experience includes soil and groundwater investigations to determine the magnitude and extent of contamination (Seattle Center Bus Barn), evaluation of contaminant movement in support of risk assessments (Defense Fuels site in Anchorage, Alaska), and design of remediation systems (City of Seattle Strickland Property). Current projects include evaluation and remedial design for two sites with groundwater contamination from dry cleaners.
Soil and Groundwater Remediation Project Examples:
Seattle Center, Former Metro Bus Barn Site Investigation and Remedial Design, Seattle Center, Seattle, WA
Richard was Project Hydrogeologist and Site Investigation Manager for this fast-track remediation project at the future site of the Gates Foundation headquarters. The site is a former bus maintenance and fueling facility beneath which a benzene plume in groundwater was discovered. Richard reviewed previous work completed at the site and developed a focused site investigation, which included using geoprobes to identify potential source areas, installing an array of monitoring wells to identify the extent of the plume, completing monitoring and hydraulic testing to assess contaminant movement, and installing test wells for a pilot-scale air sparging and soil vapor extraction system. The results of the site investigation led to development of a full-scale remediation system design for the site, which is expected to reduce benzene concentrations in groundwater to target levels within the project time frame.
Martin Selig, 333 Elliott Development, Seattle, WA
Dual-level vacuum well point system
Richard was Project Hydrogeologist on this site cleanup/property development project in downtown Seattle. The property is under a consent decree with the Department of Ecology to remove creosote-contaminated soil and provide groundwater containment. Richard designed a dewatering system to allow excavation of the contaminated soil to a depth of up to 25 feet below the water table and includes perimeter vacuum-extraction well points and large-diameter dewatering wells within the excavation. To mitigate potential drawdown-induced ground settlement beneath the adjacent railroad tracks, he recommended using a water-tight secant pile shoring wall along the railroad property line with recharge wells at the ends of the wall. Because of the permitting challenges and costs associated with disposal of dewatering effluent from a contaminated site, Richard worked closely with the owner, contractors, and regulators to obtain the necessary permits and to minimize dewatering discharge rates for both the temporary construction dewatering and permanent groundwater control systems, thereby reducing costs to the owner.
U.S. Coast Guard Landfills, Kodiak Island, AK
Richard was Project Hydrogeologist for several landfill sites associated with the U.S. Coast Guard facility. For the municipal landfill, he performed geotechnical and environmental studies, including the evaluation of existing and proposed new cover materials and cover design for the landfill. Leachate volumes generated from this closed landfill are approaching the capacity of the Kodiak wastewater treatment plant. The new cover and other groundwater controls are intended to reduce the leachate generation rates. Richard evaluated groundwater conditions and water quality following installation of the new cover. Richard was also Project Hydrogeologist investigating the movement of chlorinated solvents in groundwater at two RCRA-permitted landfills on the facility. He developed fate and transport models to evaluate the movement of chlorinated solvents in the absence of remediation for each site. The results of the modeling were used to focus additional field efforts in order to identify subsurface conditions controlling the spreading of the plumes. Richard evaluated the effectiveness of existing air sparging/soil vapor extraction systems and assessed the feasibility of alternative remedial measures for the sites.
