March 31, 2005 - EarthFax Completes Characterization of Soils and Sludges in a Major Drainage Canal

EarthFax Engineering, Inc. ("EarthFax") recently completed characterization of sludges and soils in a major drainage canal that had been used for decades as a wastewater conveyance system and is under consideration by U.S. EPA and the State of Utah as a potential Superfund site.  We completed this work for an industrial client in northern Utah to assist in evaluating potential environmental liability for that portion of the canal that is adjacent to and downstream from the client’s property.

Our scope of work for this project included determining the volume and nature of contaminants in the sludge and soil along the referenced reaches of the canal.  In addition to reviewing historical data, reviewing aerial photographs of the site, sampling soils and sludges, and performing numerous cross-sectional surveys of the canal, EarthFax also performed a geophysical survey of the sides and bottom of the canal.  The latter included using a Datasonics Chirp II sub-bottom profiler system and a Geometrics marine magnetometer to identify and visualize sub-bottom layers and map ferrous and non-ferrous debris in the canal.  Using these data, EarthFax evaluated remediation alternatives and made recommendations to the client.  As a Potentially Responsible Party, the client was successful in using our data and recommendations to negotiate for a significantly reduced percentage of liability for future cleanup activities.

EarthFax Engineering, Inc. is a consulting engineering firm that was founded in 1982, with offices in Midvale, Utah.  Its personnel have broad professional experience in the areas of environmental engineering, civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, hydrology and hydrogeology, geology, land reclamation, and environmental planning.  Additional information regarding EarthFax can be found at www.earthfax.com.