Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Continental Automotive Systems in Culpeper, Virginia
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
On October 10, 2000, a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action Permit was issued to the facility to investigate Solid Waste Management Units (SWMUs) identified during the EI inspection and previous investigations/assessments.
In 2002, Continental began a RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) and in 2003 began cleanup activities implemented via Interim Measures (IMs). In October 2008, Continental received final DEQ approval for their RFI Report.
On September 16, 2004, DEQ completed an evaluation of available information and issued “YES” determinations for the “Migration of Contaminated Groundwater Under Control” and “Current Human Exposures Under Control” Environmental Indicators (EIs) under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA).
Continental submitted a final Corrective Measures Study (CMS) to Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in December 2012 evaluating several potential corrective measures for groundwater. The CMS presented the results of a pilot test study that evaluated the effectiveness of in-situ chemical oxidation using permangnate. Based on the results, in situ chemical oxidation was selected as the proposed remedy and the CMS was approved by DEQ on May 13, 2013.
Continental Automotive Systems (Continental) completed a class II permit modification to their Hazardous Waste Management Permit for Site-Wide Corrective Action (Permit). The Permit modification was completed on September 10, 2014 and included selection of the facility’s final corrective action remedy. A 60 day public comment period occurred between dates June 17 and August 20, 2014 soliciting comments on the Permit modifications and the Statement of Basis, which describes the proposed remedy. No comments were received. Therefore the proposed remedy was selected as the final remedy for the site.
Continental’s final remedy consists of in situ chemical oxidation to reduce contaminants in groundwater, on-going groundwater monitoring for remedial effectiveness, and institutional controls required by their Permit. The facility is currently implementing the final remedy.
Site Description
Interactive Map of Continental Automotive Systems, Culpeper, VA
The Continental facility occupies approximately 89 acres of property in Culpeper, Virginia where they have been manufacturing brake and suspension components for the automobile industry since 1972.
The Facility is bounded by Lovers Lane to the north. US Highway 29 is located north of Lovers Lane, followed by a manufacturing facility and several residential neighborhoods. Areas to the west consist of light industrial facilities, commercial facilities, and agricultural land. The Facility is bounded by a heavy rail line to the east, followed by agricultural land, a business park, and residential properties. Agricultural land adjoins the Facility grounds to the south.
Contaminants at this Facility
Primary contaminants in groundwater include tetrachloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE) and associated degradation compounds. Secondary contaminants in groundwater include chromium.
No unacceptable risks to human health and the environment from soil have been identified during the environmental investigations.
No impacts to air, surface water, or sediments were identified during the environmental investigations
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
| Restrictions or Controls that Address: | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
|
Groundwater Use
|
X
|
|
|
Residential Use
|
X
|
|
|
Excavation
|
|
X
|
|
Vapor Intrusion
|
X
|
|
|
Capped Area(s)
|
X
|
|
|
Other Engineering Controls
|
|
X
|
|
Other Restrictions
|
|
X
|
- Groundwater from beneath the property cannot be used for any purposes other than environmental testing unless it is demonstrated that such use does not pose an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment.
- Residential land use is prohibited within the boundary of the former pretreatment lagoon and sludge drying beds. (SWMUs Five and Six).
- Must inspect and maintain the final cover for the former pretreatment lagoon (SWMU Six)
- A vapor mitigation or control system must be installed in any new structure intended for occupation within 100 feet of contaminated groundwater unless it is demonstrated that it is not necessary to protect human health.
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
This facility is under continued use.
Site Responsiblity at this Facility
RCRA Corrective Action activities at this facility are being conducted under the direction of the Virginia DEQ with assistance from the EPA Region 3.