Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Dixon Wearever Incorporated in Deer Lake, Pennsylvania
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
Dixon Ticonderoga (Dixon) has operated a pump and treat system on site since 1988, in compliance with the federal Corrective Action Order issued on September 29, 1988 to remediate groundwater contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE). Dixon samples and analyzes the groundwater quality on a quarterly basis.
The site includes several storage and waste disposal areas. In 1985, pursuant to Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP's) closure requirements, DKI closed two concrete lined evaporation lagoons. All the wastewater and sludge stored in the lagoons was removed and transported to an off-site facility. The lagoons were backfilled and covered with an impermeable liner, covered with soil, graded and seeded.
In December 1988, Dixon implemented the closure plan for the effluent wastewater lagoon, including excavation and backfilling. The soils were found to meet closure standards in 2000 after post excavation sampling results confirmed that there was no contaminated soil remaining in the lagoon. Closure of the soils was certified by PADEP in 2003. Post Closure obligations remain.
As part of the closure, DKI installed a groundwater monitoring system to evaluate impacts to the groundwater. Dixon installed a number of additional wells during closure of the effluent lagoons. Currently the system consists of 2 recovery wells and 9 monitoring wells. Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs) were found in the groundwater at concentrations above acceptable levels. The pump and treat system utilizes one primary recovery well and a back-up recovery well connected to a charcoal carbon unit, which strips off the VOCs. The remediated groundwater is then discharged into a surface stream.
Site Description
The Site was purchased by Fessler USA in 2007. However, Dixon retains responsibility for the groundwater pump and treat system.
The Dixon Ticonderoga facility has also been known as Dixon Wearever, Inc. The operations at this facility included the manufacturing and assembling of writing instruments such as pencils, fountain pens, ball point pens, and felt tip markers. Dixon Ticonderoga is the manufacturer of those famous #2 yellow pencils school children have used for years, as well as Wearever pens. The facility was previously owned and operated by David Kahn Inc. (DKI) from 1964 to 1987. Dixon, the present property owner purchased the facility in 1987 and continued to operate until 2000, when the company relocated to Mexico.
Contaminants at this Facility
Primary concern at the facility is groundwater contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE).
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
|
Interim Measures prohbits potable uses for groundwater (EPA Order 1988 3008-h) and there is also a groundwater pump and treatment system.
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
The site is being reused.
Site Responsibility at this Facility
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action activities at this facility have been conducted under the direction of EPA Region 3 with assistance from Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.