Exercising Strict Quality Control for Better Environmental Outcomes
Sampling and analyses of soil and water are key to any environmental investigation, remedial action, and permit compliance. Unitek’s staff is trained in proper sample collection procedures to comply with USEPA requirements including sample collection procedures, labeling, chain-of-custody, and sample bottle selection and preservation. With Guam’s remote location, our staff is highly trained in the requirements of sample transportation via air to the EPA-certified laboratories located within the US. Unitek utilizes EPA/GEPA/US military-approved laboratories for analyses of samples ensuring quality control documentation for each sample.
Our staff performs sampling and analyses for permit compliance including Underground Injection Control Permits and NPDES Permits as well as sampling and analyses of soils and groundwater during environmental investigations following stringent sampling and analyses programs. Unitek maintains an extensive inventory of sample collection bottles and field-portable direct-read instruments for sample collection. Unitek is enrolled in the USEPA laboratory control program. All data obtained from sampling activities are reviewed by our staff providing data interpretation and recommendations.
Site Remediation & Restoration
Since 1988, Unitek has been the Western Pacific’s most experienced environmental firm for environmental site remediation and restoration years of successful project completion. Unitek’s vast expertise is in the investigation and remediation of contaminated sites including hazardous wastes, soil and groundwater contamination, as well as UXO site investigations and clearance
The Pacific Rim has numerous locations of soil contamination due to past military activities. Unitek’s activities include collecting and evaluating existing information to define problems at the site, public and environmental liabilities, sampling activities and field studies to characterize extent, site remediation including soil excavation packaging/transport/disposal, and site restoration.
Significant remediation actions performed by Unitek include the following:
Guam Power Authority Power Plant Explosion and Site Remediation
Unitek was contracted by the Guam Power Authority’s independent power producers to perform emergency spill response and contaminated soil cleanup actions following the explosion of GPA Power Plant Cabras 3 & 4. Initial activities consisted of the removal of petroleum products surrounding the facility as a result of the explosion. Unitek was then retained to remove approximately 550 cubic yards of petroleum impacted sediment/soil contained within a retention pond adjacent to the facility. Activities associated with this cleanup activity required coordination with USCG, GPA, and Port of Guam officials. Additionally, the retention pond was subject to tidal fluctuations requiring expediting field activities to facilitate the performance of the project during low tide periods and the implementation of remedial methods to prevent petroleum from entering waterways.
Edoni Landfill-saipan CNMI
Unitek was contracted for the project planning, removal, containerization, transportation, and disposal of 672 cubic yards of contaminated soil at the former US Army Maintenance Depot, Edoni Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The project site is located in a remote area of Saipan, CNMI with significant logistical issues. The site was used as a post-WWII vehicle maintenance area with an adjacent quarry. Various wastes were thrown into the quarry and burned over a period of years and backfilled. As a result, soils in the landfill were impacted with low-level PCBs, heavy metals, and petroleum. Unitek personnel performed clearing of vegetation at the site, excavation, packaging, and transportation to the US mainland for disposal of 672 cubic yards of contaminated soil. The site was then restored for turn-over by the CNMI government for use as a residential housing area.
Ibanez Site Remediation-guam
Unitek was contracted for the project planning, removal, containerization, transportation, and disposal of 1,200 cubic yards of contaminated soil at the former US Army Maintenance Depot, Toto, Guam. The site is now located at the Ibanez family compound in a residential area of Guam following the turnover of the property to the original landowners. Performance of site remediation activities at this site required extensive community outreach efforts by Unitek to minimize impacts on quality of life conditions for the Ibanez family during the remediation efforts. The site was used as a post-WWII vehicle maintenance area with an adjacent pit used for dumping various waste. As a result, soils in the landfill were impacted with low-level PCBs, heavy metals, and petroleum. Unitek personnel performed clearing of vegetation at the site, excavation, packaging, and transportation to the US mainland for disposal of 1,200 cubic yards of contaminated soil.
Cocos Island Remediation-guam
Unitek performed the removal, containerization, and disposal of 381 cubic yards of PCB impacted soil at the former USCG Loran Station Site at Cocos Island, Guam. Cocos Island is a remote island located approximately 2 miles off the southern coast of Guam and access to the site is only by boat.
To perform this project, Unitek mobilized necessary equipment and materials to the site via landing craft. Site engineering controls were implemented to ensure the surrounding jungle and ocean environments were not affected by the remedial efforts. Vegetative clearing and mulching were performed prior to excavation and site surveying. Unitek then excavated approximately 318 cubic yards of PCB contaminated soil and sand and packaged the contaminated materials into 1.5cy bulk lift bags for transportation. All excavation activities were supervised for archaeological resources and to ensure the protection and documentation of any archaeological finds. A total of 381 cubic yards of PCB impacted soil and two 55-gallon drums of PCB contaminated electronics were removed from the site. All contaminated material was transported over water via landing craft to Guam where the material was loaded into seavans and transported to a US mainland EPA-approved disposal facility. Excavation areas at the site were then backfilled with clean native soil and vegetation replanted to restore the site.