39    SOIL AND GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION AT WOOD
PRESERVING PLANTS
John Ball, Professor
Civil Engineering Department
The University of Alabama
University, Alabama 35486
INTRODUCTION
This study is based on four individual sites selected from among several dozen wood preserving
plant investigations performed since the effective date of the RCRA regulations [1]. It has been
observed that all wood preserving plants investigated can be separated into facilities that have operated with process water surface impoundments and those that have not. Most of the surface impoundments were installed in the early 1970's in response to suggestions from state regulatory agencies who
objected to direct discharges or for the purpose of keeping abreast of industry changes. Almost all
plants investigated that have had surface impoundments have indicated some groundwater contamination from preservatives. The degree of the problem, however, has ranged from localized conditions
at a single monitor well indicating one or more dissolved constituents of a preservative to relatively
large areas and to significant depths of free preservative contamination.
THE STUDY
Four plants having significant contamination were selected for discussion based on the availability
of information, type of preservative, and other factors such as extent of contamination, soil type, etc.
These facilities shall be referred to as Plants A, B, C, and D. Table I presents a summary of several
facility characteristics for each of the plants.
Plants A, B, and C began operating prior to 1940 with Plant D starting up in 1973. The older plants
began with creosote as the only preservative followed by pentachlorophenol in the 1960's at Plants B
and C. The use of the preservative CCA (copper, chromium, arsenic) was started in the 1970's at Plant
C. Plant D began operating with creosote and CCA preservatives from initial startup. Although
Plants C and D treat with CCA, little contamination has been detected from release of this water
soluble preservative. The significant contamination has been from the oil soluble creosote and pentachlorophenol.
Except for Plant B, the surface impoundments began operation between 1972 and 1974. The Plant
B pond was constructed in 1974, but an existing drainage canal was used to handle process water from
the start of operations. Prior to the early 1970's, process water from Plants A and C was discharged
Table I. Facility Characteristics
Plant A
Plant B
Plant C
Plant D
Plant Startup
1937
1926
1928
1973
Lagoon Startup
1974
1926
1972
1973
Preservative
Creosote
Creosote
Creosote
Creosote
Penta»
Penta"
CCAb
CCAb
Number of Cylinders
3
3
4
3
Source of Contamination
1-Ditch
1-Pond
1-Canal
1-Pond
1-Pond
2-Ponds
Total Surface Acres of Source
1.5
1
1
0.5
Total Volume of Source, Cubic Yards
1700
3600
4700
1600
•Pentachlorophenol
bCopper, Chromium, Arsenic.
347