Third Party Oversight

Trihydro provided expert senior technical support to an insurance company on a claim related to groundwater impacts from a former drycleaner in Denver, Colorado. Tetrachloroethene (PCE) concentrations were detected in groundwater at concentrations greater than 100,000 ug/L. Site investigations determined that PCE impacts were primarily the result of a former dry cleaner that operated on an adjacent property. PCE impacts migrated through overburden and fractured rock beneath a large commercial building owned by the insured. PCE in groundwater affects the insured because a pre-existing dewatering system required retrofits to treat PCE prior to discharge, and PCE migration from groundwater into indoor air required installation of a sub-slab depressurization (SSD) system.  

Trihydro’s technical support encompassed a range of technical and regulatory issues. Trihydro reviewed the conceptual site model (CSM) presented by the former dry cleaner, including drastic revisions to the hydrogeologic relationship between the former dry cleaner and the insured’s building. In addition, Trihydro evaluated PCE fate and transport to assess the former dry cleaner as well as other potential source contributions to PCE observed beneath the insured’s building. Trihydro suggested optimization methods for operation of the SSD and dewatering systems. Lastly, Trihydro provided expert technical advice relative to the proposed in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) remediation system proposed by the former dry cleaners.