Two Greenwich High School Fields Reopen For Use

GREENWICH, Conn. – Two fields at Greenwich High School have been reopened for use as part of the town’s last major phase of the environmental study of contaminated soil, water, and air, the school district announced Monday evening.

Environmental study activities have been completed on fields six and seven, which are now open and ready for use. However, the artificial turf fields three and four will remain closed until the study is completed sometime in August. According to a release from AECOM, the environmental consulting company hired to conduct the study, the turf has been cut to allow for soil samples to be collected. The cuts in the turf will be repaired with glue before being opened and deemed safe for use.

A total of 340 soil samples are being taken and 15 monitoring wells are being installed to collect 30 groundwater samples in the areas around the school. This study is the most “intensive and comprehensive to be completed thus far at the site,” according to another release by the district.

The contamination was found in July 2011, when workers excavating parking lots for the school’s auditorium project, known as MISA, discovered soil that was darker than other dirt. Immediate environmental tests began. Low levels of lead, arsenic, barium, volatile organic compounds, PCBs and petroleum hydrocarbons were found.

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