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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEAGLE RIVER HEIGHTS BLK 2 LT 46I DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION / / ANCHORAGE DISTRICT OFFICE 800 E. DIMOND BLVD., SUITE 3-470 ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99515 WALTER J. HICKEL, GOVERNOR February 10, 1994 RECEIVED Representative Ed Willis Alaska State Legislature District 25 11940 Business Boulevard Eagle River, Alaska 99577 FEB 1 5 1994 D Munic;;3~l'.:,! o~ Anchorago ept. Heallh & Human Services Su~e~: 10036 Caribou Street, Closed-Loop Ground Source Heat Pump Installation, Eagle River, Alaska, ADEC Project Number 9421-WQ-313-009, Review Dear Representative Willis: Thank you for your January 11, 1994 letter and the attached information on heat pump installations. It is nice to see that our concerns are so similar to other States. Enclosed is the response by B.C. Excavating Inc. to Mr. Keven Kleweno's November 30, 1993 letter, which you requested. Also enclosed is our December 10, 1993 letter of non- objection to B.C. Excavating Inc. Mr. Gordon L Bartel's responsiveness and concern with protection of the environment and public health facilitated an excellent working relationship between the two parties on this project. We have taken steps to ensure that this Department will be consistent in the handling of all future closed-looped ground source heat pump installations. Please feel free to contact me or my staff if more Clarification or information is needed. Sincerely, District Manager BHL/KKK/cf. Enclosures: As Stated cc: John Sandor, Commissioner, ADEC, w/o Enc. Janice Adair, ADEC/SCRO, w/o Enc. Deena Henkins, ADEC/Central, w/o Enc. Doug Redburn, ADEC/Central, w/o Enc. 'John Smith, MOA/DHHS, w/o Enc. Representative Ed Willis 2 December 9, 1993 As to the system in Eagle River, my staff has been in contact with the firm that has installed the system and is working with them in order to collect the necessary information to complete the needed plan review. We will be looking into details concerning the soil borings, how the piping was fused together and installed in each boring, how each boring Was grouted, and the heat exchange fluid used in the system. Finally, you asked if ADEC feels there is any necessity for oversight. To this, I would have to say definitely yes,' especially if the use of these type systems become popular and widespread. Anytime a potential contaminate is brought within close proximity to a water source, and especially a ground water source, the opportunity to contaminate that water supply is increased substantially. The heat transfer system used in Eagle River relies on a simple pipe or pipe grouted in concrete to keep it separated from the ground water. Any leakages from this system would, therefore, directly contaminate that ground water source. To compound the potential risk, we already know that cleanup of ground water supplies, once contaminated, is nearly impossible. It is also realistic to expect that very few residential users would be aware of the obligation to report a release of methanol to the State. In closing, I would like to say that the system in Eagle River has a potential of being an economical (low energy consuming) heating system with minimum overall impacts on the environment. However, the risk of being a direct pollution source to the ground water, should a leak occur, is substantially increased from that of more conventional types of heating sources. And, whereas a few such systems may overall pose only a small risk, large use of such systems could easily increase this risk factor to very high levels. And even though we can and intend to exercise plan review oversight of such systems, review does not prevent accidental spills from occurring in the future. I hope this response adequately answers your questions on this subject. Please feel free to contact me if more clarification is needed. Sincerely, District Manager BHL/KKK/cf cc: Janice Adair, ADEC/SCRO Deena Henkins, ADEC/Central Doug Redburn, ADEC/Central John smith, MOA/D.HHS J~h~-'$andor~-c0mmlssioner, ADEC " WALTER J. HICKEL, GOVERNOR DEPT. OF EN¥1RONMENTAL CONSERYATION , ANCHORAGE DISTRICT OFFICE 800 E. DIMOND BLVD., SUITE 3-470 ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99515 RECEIVED DEC 1 G 1993 Mu,~;c;pahty of Anchorage Dept. Health & Human Services December 9, 1993 Representative Ed Willis Alaska State Legislature District 25 11940 Business Boulevard Eagle River. Alaska 99577 Subject: 10036 Caribou Street, Closed-Loop Ground Source Heat Pump installation. Eagle River. Alaska. ADEC Project Number 9421-WQ-313-009. Review Dear Representative Willis: Thank you for your November 18, 1993 letter regarding the potential hazards of heat pump systems for home heating and the department's regulatory authority for these types of systems. The system identified in Eagle River is a closed loop system in which methanol is passed through a network of heat transfer pipes to transfer heat from the subsurface ground water. The system, as designed, is not intended to discharge any contaminants to the ground water. Such systems, when constructed and maintained properly, should pose very little risk to the ground water. However, should any leaking occur, potential serious impacts to the ground water can occur. In the case of the system in Eagle River, a leak of methanol directly into the ground water could threaten many other downgradient users. Methanol is a colorless substance that, if ingested in high enough concentrations, can cause light headedness, vomiting, blindness, and even death. It is important, therefore, to assure that any such systems be properly designed, constructed, and maintained. In your letter you asked if the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) or the Enivironmental Protection Agency (EPA) exercised any oversight over the use of such systems or had guidelines covering their installation and operation. Several components of the existing closed-looped ground source system are under plan review by ADEC due to source protection requirements of the Drinking Water Regulations. However, because the methanol is not being discharged and is not a waste, the system is not directly regulated by us or EPA nor is any type of operating permit required. Therefore, it appears that the State can oversee the design and installation of such systems, but has no authority to oversee the continual operation of .the units once completed and put into service. There are reporting requirements to the State should the operator become aware of a release of a fluid such as methanol to the lands or waters of the State (including ground water).