Hazardous Waste Cleanup: MAX Environmental Technologies, Incorporated (Formerly: Mill Service Incorporated) in Bulger, Pennsylvania
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
EPA issued a Corrective Action Statement of Basis (SB) in August 2021. The SB described the environmental conditions at the site and asked for public comments on EPA's tentative decision. Based upon public request, EPA held a virtual public meeting in November 2021 to discuss EPA’s tentative decision and field questions from stakeholders. EPA issued a Final Decision and Response to Comments in December 2021. The Final Decision includes:
- Completion and maintenance of impoundment caps and land use restrictions for soil
- Continued operation of pump-and-treat and leachate collection systems
- Monitored natural attenuation and use restrictions for groundwater
- Surface water monitoring
These remedial components are expected to be implemented through an environmental covenant and post-remediation care plan to be approved by EPA.
On August 16, 2023, EPA determined the facility was ready for anticipate use. Cleanup goals have been achieved current and reasonably anticipated future land uses of the facility so there are no unacceptable risks.
On August 16,2023, an environmental covenant was filed for the facility.
Cleanup Background
MAX Environmental Technologies Inc. (MAX; formerly Mill Service) currently operates a passive seep collection system and actively pumps groundwater from three wells onsite to control the migration of contaminated groundwater from the facility. Leachate and contaminated groundwater from the two onsite impoundments are characterized by elevated chloride and nitrate concentrations, which are indicative of the treated spent pickle liquors that were disposed of in the impoundments in the past. Contamination is primarily limited to the shallow groundwater zone. As both impoundments have soil covers, the concentration of contaminants in the groundwater has decreased over the past five years and is expected to continue to decrease over time. MAX will continue to conduct groundwater monitoring at the facility as required by EPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). No drinking water sources were found to be within 1000 feet hydraulically down gradient of the disposal units.
Constructed from earthen materials, Impoundments 1 and 1A lie in the southern portion of the facility and received waste from the start of operations at the facility until November 1981 when it was closed. In 1979, a groundwater collection system was installed along the southeastern border of the impoundment and consisted of a 1600 foot French drain system to collect contaminated groundwater for treatment. This system is still in operation.
Impoundment 2 was in operation from 1981 to 1987. Leachate and contaminated groundwater from this impoundment are collected by way of French drains and pumping wells in order to contain off-site migration of groundwater contamination.
MAX continues to work cooperatively with PADEP to re-close the impoundments. Re-closure of Impoundments 1 and 2 were completed in 2021 and 2008, respectively, with re-closure of Impoundment 1A expected to be completed in 2022.
In December 2017 MAX submitted an application for a new residual waste landfill at the facility (Landfill 3), which was revised and resubmitted in November 2020. Landfill 3 would be approximately 21 acres and located directly to the east of Impoundment 1. The application is currently under review by PADEP.
Site Description
Interactive Map of MAX Environmental Technologies, Incorporated (Mill Service Inc), Bulger PA
View larger mapThe Max Environmental Technologies Inc. Bulger facility is located approximately 1500 feet northwest of the town of Bulger, in Washington County, Pennsylvania. In operation since 1958, the facility used to treat, store, and dispose of hazardous wastes generated by the iron and steel, glass manufacturing, electroplating and metal finishing industries. These wastes included lime neutralized acids (pickle liquor), sludge from the various lime neutralized metal bearing wastes, and waste rolling oils. Many of these wastes were treated and processed before being disposed of in one of two onsite surface impoundments.
Contaminants at this Facility
Hazardous wastes included lime neutralized acids (pickle liquor), sludge from the various lime neutralized metal bearing wastes, and waste rolling oils.
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
Institutional controls at this facility include:
- Land use restriction prohibiting residential use; and
- Groundwater use restriction prohibiting potable use.
Engineering controls at this facility include:
- Continued operation and maintenance of caps over Impoundments 1, 1A, and 2; and
- Continued operation and maintenance of groundwater pump-and-treat and leachate collection systems.
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
The site under continued use.
Site Responsibility at this Facility
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action activities at this facility have been conducted under the direction of EPA Region 3 with assistance from PADEP.