Hazardous Waste Cleanup: MAX Environmental Technologies, Incorporated (Formerly: Mill Service Incorporated) in Yukon, Pennsylvania

On this page:


Cleanup Status

MAX Environmental Technologies Inc. (formerly Mill Service) continues to operate a pump and treat system to clean groundwater from the Pittsburgh mine pool which was found to be contaminated with chloride and nitrate from previous operations at the Facility. This system has been in operation since the mid-1980's, and monitoring data since that time clearly indicate improvement in the groundwater chemistry. No evidence has been found to date that MAX Environmental Technologies Inc. has impacted off-site water supplies, air or soil. MAX Environmental Technologies Inc. is expected to maintain the soil covers on the closed impoundments, to limit the amount of precipitation infiltration and further protect groundwater.

 
 

Top of Page


Site Description

Interactive map of MAX Environmental Technologies, Incorporated, Yukon, PA


View larger map

Since approximately 1964, MAX Environmental Technologies Inc. has operated the Yukon Facility for the treatment, storage and disposal of industrial wastes from steel making and other industries in Western Pennsylvania and adjoining areas. These wastes included lime neutralized acids (waste pickle liquor), waste rolling mill oils and sludges containing aluminum, iron, copper, nickel, and zinc as well as additional nonhazardous metallics and salts. A hazardous waste storage and treatment permit was renewed on February 14, 2005.

From 1963 until 1974, the Facility operated 3 disposal lagoons to store wastes which were treated with lime neutralization prior to disposal. Located adjacent to each other near the center of the Facility property with a total area of approximately 8.5 acres, these lagoons were closed in the late 1970's with the placement of a 3-5 foot compacted cap on top of support material that covered all three impoundments, and drainage ditches and storm water piping to prevent run-on. Despite these closure measures, it was discovered in the mid 1980's that these lagoons were acting as a type of filter bed, keeping the solids in place, while letting the water leak out.

From the mid 1970's through the mid 1980's the Facility operated two additional impoundments. Impoundment No.4 operated as a lined leachate management and overflow containment structure for the Facility. In 1985, this impoundment was clean closed by removing all wastes and placing them in Impoundment No. 5. Impoundment No.5 is a partially lined, 13.5 acre earthen impoundment that handled various industrial wastes. Closure of this impoundment was completed in 2002.

Currently, the Facility operates residual waste Impoundment No.6, which is permitted (originally in 1986) to receive liquid and waste disposal until a specified freeboard elevation is reached then solids disposal only, until final elevations are reached. This unit is a double lined structure with complete leachate collection and detection capabilities.

In December 2005, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) approved a plan and executed a consent order and agreement (COA) to "re-close" the three pre-RCRA impoundments by rebuilding their grades with residual waste, then installing a low permability gas membrane cap on each structure to seal off precipitation infiltration. This work is to be completed in 5 yrs. In June 2006, MAX submitted an application to renew the Impoundment 6 Residual Waste Permit. In June 2007, DEP renewed this permit for one year pending review of plans to build a new leachate impoundment.

Top of Page


Contaminants at this Facility

Chloride and nitrate in the groundwater are the best indicators of impact MAX Environmental Technologies Inc. operations since they are the precipitated salts from pickle liquor treatment. Heavy metals detected in down gradient wells have been found at levels well below acceptable levels for cleanup and are not a concern at this time.

Top of Page


Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility

Top of Page


Land Reuse Information at this Facility

The facility is under continued use.

Top of Page


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.

Top of Page