After a prolonged debate Tuesday night Town Council approved spending $8,500 to further study phytoremediation as a method to remove PCBs from the emergency overflow pond at the town’s wastewater treatment plant.
The PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls — stuck to the sludge on the clay lining of the pond — were identified in the summer of 2000, two years after the Department of Health issued a fish advisory for the Staunton River.
The town has until the end of 2013 to have all PCBs removed from the pond, if it stays enrolled in the current remediation program. As a result representatives from Ecolotree will be allowed to plant trees in the pond to determine the possible impact of phytoremediation.
Council approved six budget amendments totaling $81,300 on Tuesday. Within the amendment was a $7,700 bill for a staff and Town Council retreat. The funds paid for four full days of training — two for town staff and two for council members in October and December respectively.
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