Officials to Discuss Mill River Dredging

Given that Exide Group, Inc. will soon begin in-river work for the cleanup of lead in the Mill River sediment, Exide will hold a public informational meeting on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 7:00 PM in the Board of Education Conference Room, 2nd floor, 501 Kings Highway East, Fairfield to discuss what the public can expect as the cleanup proceeds.

In 2013, representatives of Exide, the Town of Fairfield, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and FairPLAN participated in discussions facilitated by Ms. Cindy Cook of Adamant Accord, Inc. These discussions lead to a consensus plan for conducting the Mill River cleanup.

The Mill River cleanup will involve hydraulic dredging of sediment, dewatering of sediment using geotextile tubes, and treatment of the filtrate water in the permitted water treatment plant. The dewatered sediment will be taken to a licensed and approved off-site landfill.

The consensus cleanup plan includes extensive measures to protect water quality during the remediation process. State-of-the-art dredging and sediment containment technologies will be employed, in accordance with the DEEP-approved plans and permits. The contractor will conduct a comprehensive monitoring plan to ensure that the water quality of the Mill River is maintained throughout the cleanup process.

In August of 2014, Exide and its contractor, TRC, began constructing the sediment processing area and water treatment plant on Exide’s property. This site preparation work is nearing completion; and dredging is targeted to begin the week of October 13th.

Dredging will continue through the end of this year (as weather permits). After the winter shutdown, dredging will commence again in the spring of 2015 and is expected to continue with completion by the end of 2015. The cleanup will be conducted in close coordination with DEEP and Town officials.

First Selectman Mike Tetreau said: “I am pleased we are able to move forward in the cleanup of the Mill River and will do so in the most proper, careful and environmentally sound way. I encourage our community to join me at this important meeting so we continue to make progress.”

“We are pleased to begin the Mill River cleanup activities, and fulfill our commitment to the community and the environment,” said Exide representative Mr. Ken Money.

“Cleanup of the Mill River sediment will provide vastly improved ecological habitat and recreational benefits. The close coordination between local officials, citizens, Exide and DEEP has contributed to the success of getting to this important moment,” concluded Betsey Wingfield, Bureau Chief, Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse, CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.