- Client: Wayne County
- Location: Wayne County, Michigan
- Industry Sector: Municipal Environmental Remediation
- Project Type: PCB-Contaminated Wastewater Removal & Disposal
- Contractor: ERG Environmental Services
Project Overview
ERG Environmental Services was contracted by Wayne County to resolve an environmental hazard that emerged during a demolition project. In collaboration with the City of Livonia and a local demolition contractor, ERG was tasked with the removal and disposal of PCB-contaminated oily water that had accumulated in an excavation area.
Unique Requirements and Collaborative Solutions
The client faced a dual challenge:
- Urgency: Contaminated water had to be removed quickly to allow construction to proceed safely and on schedule.
- Compliance: Fluids containing Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) required federally regulated disposal under TSCA guidelines.
Wayne County also sought:
- A single-source partner to streamline operations
- Expertise in hazardous waste profiling and documentation
- Assurance that all handling met regulatory and environmental standards
ERG’s Integrated Remediation Approach
ERG Environmental delivered a turnkey solution encompassing every critical phase of hazardous material handling:
1. Onsite Pumping & Fluid Transfer
ERG deployed field crews to safely pump out the PCB-contaminated oily water from the excavation zone. The fluids were collected in secure totes and staged for laboratory analysis.
2. Water Profiling & Laboratory Analysis
Collected samples were analyzed for:
- PCB concentration levels
- Heavy metal content
The analytical results guided the appropriate classification and ensured accurate waste profiling for disposal.
3. Regulated Disposal Coordination
ERG managed the transportation and disposal of the contaminated water in full accordance with Federal TSCA PCB Commercial Storage requirements, ensuring environmental safety and legal compliance.
Certifications & Regulatory Qualifications
ERG’s Federal TSCA PCB Commercial Storage certification was essential in authorizing the handling and disposal of PCB-contaminated materials, a credential that ensured regulatory compliance and minimized risk for Wayne County.
Value Delivered to Wayne County
| Key Benefit | Outcome Provided by ERG |
| Cost Efficiency | Consolidated services reduced vendor coordination costs and project delays |
| Operational Continuity | Prompt removal allowed excavation and demolition to resume without interruption |
| Regulatory Assurance | Certified waste handling removed liability risks for all project partners |
| Simplified Oversight | Wayne County benefited from a single point of contact for analysis, labor, and disposal |
Summary
ERG Environmental demonstrated its environmental response and regulatory expertise by managing a high-risk PCB contamination incident on behalf of Wayne County. By delivering a fully integrated solution—from fluid removal to final disposal—ERG ensured not only compliance, but also continuity, cost efficiency, and peace of mind for the county and its partners.