Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Viasystems Technologies Corporation (Formerly: Lucent) in Richmond, Virginia
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
In September 1996 EPA issued an Administrative Order to Lucent Technologies Inc. requiring groundwater remediation, through a pump and treat system to drinking water standards. That system included twelve groundwater extraction wells; a treatment system with air strippers, carbon adsorption, solvent recovery, chemical feed and iron removal; and environmental sampling of surface water, groundwater and associated reporting.
Cleanup Status
Although EPA issued a Corrective Action Statement of Basis Complete with Controls to AT&T in May 1991,
In the Spring of 2000, Lucent implemented a series of improvements to enhance performance of the existing groundwater remediation system. These enhancements included:
- installation of four new perimeter extraction wells to cut off flow along an apparent preferential pathway;
- installation of a new extraction well in the source area;
- modification of the three existing extraction wells and the new source area extraction well to vacuum-enhanced recovery;
- rehabilitation of the perimeter extraction wells; and,
- revision of the operation and maintenance of the extraction and treatment system to minimize downtime.
A review of the groundwater data collected to monitor the performance of the remediation system indicates that overall the facility contaminants of concern have been contained, the levels have been reduced and the groundwater recovery system is operating as intended.
In the Fall of 2006 field activities were initiated to prepare the site for redevelopment. Prior to designing the redevelopment plans, EPA, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ), and the property owners (current and past) participated in multiple meetings and discussions with the developer to ensure that the on-site groundwater remediation system remains operational and protective of human health and the environment. The redevelopment project now known as "The Shops at White Oak Village," includes three large anchor tenants, regional and local retail, a hotel, and restaurants. Initial store openings occurred in October 2008. EPA and VDEQ will continue to monitor the performance of the groundwater remediation system until the cleanup objectives have been achieved.
Site Description
Interactive Map of Viasystems Technologies Corporation (Formerly: Lucent), Richmond, VA
View larger mapThe former Lucent Technologies Richmond Works facility, about 120 acres in size, is located in eastern Henrico County, about five miles east of Richmond, Virginia. The Richmond facility was constructed in 1972. Storage and use of chlorinated solvents at the Richmond Works facility until 1989 contributed to the on-site groundwater contamination at the site. A record of decision (ROD) was issued by the EPA in 1991. The ROD specified a schedule for design and installation of a groundwater remediation system, which has been operational since February 1995.
In 1996 Lucent sold the facility to Viasystems Technologies Corporation, however Lucent retained responsibility for remediation of the impacted groundwater. In February 2001, Lucent Technologies Inc. spun off it Microelectronics Group as a new company named Agere Systems Inc., (Agere). Recently, Agere Systems Inc. was acquired by LSI Corporation, (LSI). As part of this acquisition, LSI has assumed all responsibility for the cleanup work. Manufacturing operations at the facility ceased in June 2001. LSI will continue to operate the groundwater recovery system with EPA and State oversight.
Contaminants at this Facility
Contaminants of concern are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in groundwater consisting of trichloroethane (TCA), Methylethcathinone (MEC), 1,1-dichloroethane (DCA), and 1,1-dichloroethene (DCE).
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
The Institutional Control is an Environmental Covenant with Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ) for the COLE MT RICHMOND VIRGINIA, LLC. The covenant requires: nonresidential use unless EPA provides prior approval otherwise, non-interference with existing remedial components, prior notification and EPA approval for any groundwater use, prior notification and EPA approval for any soil disturbance below the water table and a vapor barrier layer designed into all new construction unless EPA provides prior approval otherwise.
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
The facility is being reused.
Site Responsibility at this Facility
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action activities at this facility are being conducted under the direction of the EPA Region 3 with assistance from the VADEQ.