As work continues at the former NVF site in Yorklyn, DNREC’s new water quality project is gaining national recognition.
The project won the PISCES award from the agency, one of five awarded nationwide.
Two DNREC Divisions, Waste & Hazardous Substances, and Parks & Recreation collaborated to remediate the zinc-contaminated site at the former factory.
A newly created remediated two-acre wetland is nearly complete, with four other wetlands to be constructed at the site.
In addition, three new trails at the former NVF site have been completed.
Under construction is a bridge that will connect the Yorklyn Bridge trail to Benge Road and the Auburn Heights Mansion.
The PISCES award promotes the importance of the new wetland to mitigate flooding and improve water quality in the Red Clay Creek area, the support of the economic redevelopment of the Yorklyn Fiber Mills District, and the innovative use of funding for the project, a DNREC release stated.
“EPA is proud to have selected this clean water project as one of five rated exceptional in the nation,” said EPA Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. “The work at the NVF site will continue to improve water quality in the creek, and enhance the quality of life for residents by protecting this vulnerable area from flooding, and making way for future economic development. It’s an excellent example of the power of partnerships between EPA and the states and communities we serve.”
“We are proud that DNREC has been recognized by EPA with the PISCES award,” said Gov. John Carney. “Not only does this project clean up the environment, but it also will support redevelopment. This whole area was once a polluted brownfield site, and because of DNREC’s work, the Yorklyn Fiber Mills District is better equipped to attract more businesses, create jobs, and help strengthen our economy.”
The EPA award acknowledges excellence and innovation within the Clean Water State Revolving Fund . The fund is a federal-state partnership that provides communities with a permanent, independent source of low-cost financing for a wide range of water quality projects.
The EPA’s PISCES (Performance and Innovation in the SRF Creating Environmental Success) award celebrates innovation demonstrated by Delaware’s CWSRF programs and assistance recipients.
The soil remediation efforts at the NVF site included the removal and disposal of approximately 170 tons (340,000 pounds) of zinc and more than 200 pounds of hazardous lead from the soil during a seven-month period beginning in December 2016.
A groundwater zinc recovery and treatment system has also been in operation at the site since 2008.
Converting the excavation into a wetland that provides floodwater storage capacity and other wetland benefits is seen as necessary in the historically flood-prone Red Clay Creek Valley.
For perspective, using average recovery rates of zinc from the existing treatment system, it would have taken nearly 40 years to remove the same mass of contaminants from groundwater, at an estimated cost of $14 million. Utilizing the $3.3 million loan enabled DNREC to perform remediation in the short term, thus saving taxpayers a projected $10.7 million in the long term.
Using funds for contaminated site remediation has not been done in Delaware before.
Future redevelopment at the site is designed to provide mixed uses for the scenic area near Hockessin.
