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Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Emporia Foundry Incorporated in Emporia, Virginia

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The Post-closure Care Permit for the Facility was originally issued August 26, 1994 and renewed September 26, 2005. The current Permit includes site-wide corrective action (CA) requirements of the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1984. The permit requires the facility to conduct a RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) for potential releases of hazardous waste and/or hazardous constituents at specified solid waste management units (SWMUs) and Areas of Concern (AOCs) identified at the facility.

Cleanup Status

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) prepared a Statement of Basis on January 21, 2015 proposing institutional and engineering controls as the final remedy for the site.
 
VDEQ implemented the final remedy decision through a Class Two Permit modification to the Facility’s Hazardous Waste Permit on March 31, 2015.
 
The Facility will pursue an environmental covenant under the Uniform Environmental Covenant Act (UECA) to maintain institutional and engineering controls.
 
Cleanup Background

The Facility submitted a Phase I RFI Report to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on July 31, 2008. This report was reviewed by DEQ and a Phase II RFI work plan was required.

The final Phase II RFI work plan was received by DEQ October 26, 2011. This was plan was approved by DEQ on November 17, 2011.

After completion of Phase II activities, two areas were retained for additional evaluation, being SWMU One (Former Waste Oil Tank) and the Riparian Buffer area (near RFI Phase I RFI sampling location RS-3).

The Facility conducted risk evaluation for SWMU One and additional remedial activities consisting of soil cap in the riparian remediation area.

In a letter dated August 28, 2014, VDEQ determined that the RCRA Investigation and interim measures implementation at the Facility are complete and the information submitted adequately meets the criteria and standards of the Corrective Action program.

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    Site Description

    Interactive Map of Emporia Foundry Incorporated, Emporia, VA

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    Emporia Foundry is located in an industrial area on Reese Street in Emporia, Virginia. The facility lies between multi-family residential areas to the North, and commercial/industrial areas to the South and East. The facility manufactured gray-iron, municipal castings by mold-casting methods for use by municipal governments and the construction industry. Manufactured castings included manhole covers, manhole cover receptacles, and drain grates. The facility has ceased operations and is in the process of decommissioning all equipment and closing the facility.

    The foundry site contains a closed hazardous waste landfill, approximately 3.7 acres; the landfill contains characteristic wastes under the RCRA. The landfill, a regulated unit, is bounded on the north and east by Little Metcalf Branch, on the south by CSX Railroad tracks, and on the west by a drainage ditch.

    Between 1965 and 1975, foundry wastes consisting of cupola slag, spent casting sand, and spent steel shot were spread at the landfill. Between January 1975, and December 1981, cupola baghouse dust was included with other wastes. Between January 1982, and the fall of 1982, foundry waste without cupola baghouse dust was spread on the site, and by December of 1982, the landfill disposal operations ceased.

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    Contaminants at this Facility

    The primary contaminants in the soils and groundwater at the facility are lead and cadmium.

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      Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility

      There is a deed notice in place concerning the closed landfill.

      The Final Remedy implemented through the modification of the Facility’s Hazardous Waste Permit requires maintenance of institutional and engineering controls. The Facility will pursue an environmental covenant under the Uniform Environmental Covenant Act (UECA) to maintain these controls  which include:

      1. Maintenance of landfill cap
      2. Landfill area not used for residential use
      3. Excavation of landfill area is prohibited

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      Land Reuse Information at this Facility

      This facility is closed and undergoing demolition.

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      Site Responsiblity at this Facility

      RCRA Corrective Action activities at this facility are being conducted under the direction of the VA DEQ with assistance from the EPA Region 3.

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