Cleanup Advances At Former Brookfield Dry Cleaners

BROOKFIELD, CT — Excavation and removal of heating oil–contaminated soil has been completed at the former dry cleaners site in Brookfield, according to Project Manager Greg Dembowski. The cleanup marks a major step in a $1.2 million remediation project funded by a state grant from the Department of Economic and Community Development.

The area where an above-ground oil tank once stood has been cleared, with laboratory results confirming that remaining sidewall and bottom samples contain clean soil. The pit is expected to be refilled with approved clean material before rain forecasted for Wednesday, Dembowski said.

A second pit on the northern section of the property is being excavated this week. Testing there revealed high levels of contamination from dry cleaning solvents.

So far, 11 truckloads of hazardous material — each weighing roughly 80,000 pounds — and 24 loads of non-hazardous soil have been removed from the site. Brookfield Water Pollution Control Authority staff are conducting daily inspections to ensure wastewater is managed in accordance with permits issued for the work.

Dembowski noted the property ranks among the most contaminated dry cleaning sites in Connecticut. The cleanup, demolition, and abatement are managed by environmental engineers under permits from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, with no environmental liability to the town.

Under terms of the DECD grant, the property’s future developer must construct housing that includes at least 20 percent affordable units — defined by area median income — within three years of project completion. Developers who miss that deadline will be required to reimburse the state for the cost of the cleanup.