About Bay Shore Former MGP Site

Remedial Investigation Findings

The following is a summary of findings from the remedial investigation (RI) at the Bay Shore former MGP site and Brightwaters gas storage facility:

  • The presence of chemical constituents in soil and groundwater is consistent with that expected of a former MGP site operated for the length of time and in the way the Bay Shore/Brightwaters facilities operated.
  • The presence of trace amounts of some chemical constituents can be attributed to sources other than the MGP site, such as car and truck traffic, other commercial and industrial operations, and the operation of internal combustion engines for lawn maintenance equipment, boats and other activities.
  • There are no findings indicating that chemical constituents from the site have impacted the community's current drinking water supplies.
  • Groundwater containing chemical constituents attributable to the site migrates south from the site and enters Lawrence Creek.
  • The RI and qualitative human exposure assessment indicated that there are pathways through which people on the site and in the community could potentially be exposed to hazardous materials related to former MGP activities, but no immediate hazards were identified.
  • The RI and Fish and Wildlife Resources Impact Analysis have indicated that there are pathways through which fish and wildlife could be exposed to potentially hazardous materials related to former MGP activities. However, because of the level of urbanization in the community and the transient nature of wildlife present, remedial activities specifically directed at fish and wildlife exposure are not required.

The primary sources of contamination at former MGP sites are coal tar and purifier waste, both byproducts of the manufactured gas cooling process.

For more information, please visit NYSDEC's website on specific contaminants found in the manufactured gas byproducts coal tar and purifier waste.

Key Terms

  • Coal tar is a dark, reddish-brown to black oily liquid that does not readily mix with water. It has a strong odor, which many people find similar to mothballs or driveway sealer. This material does not always have the thick, sticky consistency that most people think of as "tar;" in fact, water gas tar (the most common MGP waste in New York State) typically has the consistency of vegetable oil. Coal gas tar is somewhat more viscous, but still may act as a liquid.
  • Purifier waste is typically found as a dark mixture of wood chips with a very strong, unpleasant, burnt odor. Once exposed at the ground surface, the waste will often develop an iridescent blue color known as "Prussian blue."

Read more on NYSDEC's investigation of former MGP sites.