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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, REGION 3
DELAWARE, MARYLAND, PENNSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
C
SUPERFUND SITE COMMUNITY UPDATE
CHUCKATUCK, SUFFOLK, VIRGINIA
,009
EPA Transfers Treatment System to the
Commonwealth of Virginia
EPA is planning to transfer operation and maintenance of the groundwater treatment system to the
Commonwealth of Virginia on July 15, 2009 for the Saunders Supply Company
Superfund Site in Chuckatuck, Suffolk, Virginia.
Background
While EPA was designing the cleanup system
for the site, it was discovered that the
pentachlorophenol (PCP) contamination in the
groundwater had begun to migrate away from the
Saunders property and toward Godwin's Mill
Pond Reservoir. In order to protect this source
of drinking water for the city of Suffolk, EPA
utilized its Emergency Removal authority to
design and construct a groundwater collection
and treatment system.
The system was placed in operation in April
1998, and went through a startup phase until July
15, 1999 when EPA declared that it was
operational and functional. By law, EPA can
only operate such groundwater cleanup systems
for a maximum of ten years after being declared
operational and functional. As such, EPA will
be transferring the operation and maintenance of
the system to the Commonwealth.
EPA's Involvement will
continue
This transfer of responsibility does not mean that
EPA will no longer be involved at the site. The
Commonwealth will continue to issue yearly
reports which EPA will review. In addition,
EPA performed a Five-Year Review in
December 2004, and the next one is scheduled to
be completed by December 2009. EPA will
continue to perform these Five-Year Reviews
until the groundwater cleanup levels are met.
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Sounders supply company Superfund Site
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Site History
The Saunders Supply Company Site is a 7-1/3 acre former wood treating plant on
Godwin Boulevard near Kings Highway in Chuckatuck. The wood treating operations
ceased in June 1991, but it remains an active lumber yard today. Between 1964 and
1984, a mixture of PCP and fuel oil was used as the wood preservative. In 1974, the
chromated copper arsenate process was added. Part of the spent PCP/oil sludge was
disposed of by means of burning in an unlined pit or a conical burner on site, resulting
in the generation of dioxin compounds. Also, some of the PCP sludge was sprayed
around the site to control weeds. The soil and groundwater at the site were
contaminated with arsenic, chromium, and PCP from the wood treating operations.
The groundwater flow in the aquifer is towards Godwin's Mill Pond Reservoir, a
primary source of drinking water for the city of Suffolk.
In 1996, a final cleanup remedy was selected by EPA and concurred on by The
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. The remedy included off site
incineration and disposal of the soil and operation of the groundwater treatment
system. By changing the remedy previously selected in 1991, EPA was able to
significantly reduce the time required to implement the remedy, thus reducing the
impact on the ongoing operations at the Saunders Supply Company and the business
on the adjacent property.
What is PCP?
Pentachlorophenol was widely used as a pesticide and wood preservative. Since 1984, the
purchase and use of pentachlorophenol has been restricted to certified applicators. It is no
longer available to the general public. It is still used industrially as a wood preservative
for utility poles, railroad ties, and wharf pilings.
Pentachlorophenol is a manufactured chemical that does not occur naturally. Pure
pentachlorophenol exists as colorless crystals. Impure pentachlorophenol (the form
usually found at hazardous waste sites) is dark gray brown and exists as dust, beads, or
flakes.
For more information about PCP visit the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR) website at www.atsdr.gov.
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Sounders supply company 6 uperfund Site
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Why a Five-Year Review?
EPA inspects sites every five years to ensure that cleanups remain fully protective of human health and
the environment. These regular reviews, which are required by law when contaminants remain at a site,
include:
• Inspection of the site and cleanup technologies.
• Review of monitoring and operating data, and maintenance records.
• Determination if any significant new health standards have been established since EPA
selected a cleanup plan for the site.
The third Five-Year review for the Saunders Supply Company Superfund Site is expected to be completed
in December 2009.
Community Participation
EPA's Five-Year review process may include interviews with community members if
there is interest. Please contact Vance Evans to schedule an appointment.
For More Information
EPA's Administrative Record can be examined at the following locations or
on-line at http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/super/sites/VAD003117389/index.htm
Suffolk Public Library U.S. EPA Region 3
443 Washington Street Public Reading Room
Suffolk, VA 23434 1650 Arch Street - 6th Floor
Telephone: 757-514-7323 Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029
Hours: Telephone: 215-814-3157
Monday - Tuesday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Hours by Appointment
Wednesday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Closed on Sunday
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Saunders Supply Company Superfund Site - July Update
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA Region 3
Attn: Vance Evans
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Your EPA Representatives
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the
Saunders Supply Company Superfund Site, please contact:
Superfund Hotline
1-800-553-2509
Andrew Palestini Vance Evans
Remedial Project Manager Community Involvement Coordinator
palestini.andv@epa.gov evans.vance@epa.gov
215-814-3233 800-553-2509 or 215-814-5526
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