Brice Engineering Advances Groundwater Cleanup at Northwest Pipe and Casing Superfund Site

Brice Engineering has completed the first year of an $11.4 million remedial action project focused on groundwater cleanup in Clackamas, Oregon.

The project supports the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District and is focused on delineating and treating a chlorinated solvent groundwater plume. The goal is to reduce PCE and TCE concentrations in groundwater by 90%.

Over the past year, the team has installed 90 monitoring, injection, and extraction wells, with additional drilling still underway. These wells help define the extent of the plume and support treatment across the site.

The team has also completed four injection pilot studies by injecting tens of thousands of gallons of emulsified vegetable oil into the formation. This material helps create conditions that break down chlorinated solvent compounds in groundwater.

One of the project’s key challenges has been collecting data in hard-to-reach areas without disturbing sensitive surface conditions. To solve that, Brice Engineering developed a creative slant-well approach to gather groundwater data beneath an onsite wetland and an elevated expressway.

This allowed the team to collect the needed information while avoiding impacts to wetland habitat and surface infrastructure.

Early results are promising. Initial data from the RZ5 pilot study showed contaminant levels well below cleanup targets, providing a strong sign that the treatment approach is working as planned.

The project requires close coordination with USACE, EPA, and other stakeholders. Brice Engineering has earned positive feedback for proactive communication, adaptive problem solving, and a thoughtful technical approach.

As the project moves forward, the team will continue drilling, monitoring site conditions, and using data to guide the next phase of treatment.

For Brice Engineering, the work reflects what our environmental teams do best: solve complex technical problems, protect sensitive environments, and deliver practical cleanup solutions that support long-term site restoration.