Hazardous Waste Cleanup: SBD Property Holdings (Formerly: Baldwin Hardware Corporation) in Reading, Pennsylvania
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
A Final Remedy was determined in 1987 and construction completed on the groundwater pump and treat system in 1988. Additional contamination was found in both groundwater and potential vapor intrusion under the buildings. EPA is requiring an updated groundwater pump and treat system as well as vapor intrusion controls. The on-site groundwater is not used as a source of drinking water.
In 1984, groundwater contamination was found via the groundwater monitoring well network approved by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources (PADER) for closure of the surface impoundments. In 1987, EPA issued an Administrative Order on Consent [3008(h) Order] to the facility for groundwater remediation. A groundwater remediation system was installed in 1988. Contaminated groundwater is pumped by three recovery wells at a rate of 300 gallons per minute, and is treated by an air stripper, which removes the organic contaminants. Some of the treated groundwater is used as non-contact cooling water in the manufacturing plant and is discharged under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to a tributary of the Schuylkill River. Excess treated groundwater is pumped to a wet-well that discharges under the NPDES permit.
During environmental sampling prior to a property sale, Baldwin found additional groundwater contamination which extended beyond the influence of the pump and treat system. The contamination did not go off-site. In addition, soil contamination under the buildings was found that potentially could cause a vapor intrusion exposure. EPA has determined this contamination is from leaks in the solvent sumps and degreasers in the affected buildings.
EPA is requiring modifications to the groundwater pump and treat system to expand the capture zone. With these modifications, an updated piping and treatment system is being installed which is expected to be more efficient and automatic. Construction on the new system is currently underway and is expected to be completed by the end of 2016. Monitoring of the effectiveness of the system will continue into the future.
EPA is also requiring a Sub-Slab Depressurization System (SSDS) to be installed under the buildings to alleviate potential vapor intrusion exposures. The system pulls vapor from the soils under the buildings, sending it through activated carbon treatment to remove any organic contaminants. The system is in place and currently undergoing evaluation for its effectiveness. Continued monitoring of the system is required into the future.
EPA is requiring that groundwater is not used for potable purposes, and that the land be used for industrial/commercial purposes only.
Site Description
The Baldwin Hardware Corporation is primarily involved in the manufacturing of solid brass mortise locks, forged materials and bathroom and desk accessories. Historically, plant operations included electroplating, polishing and lacquer clear coating.
Baldwin has acknowledged groundwater contamination at their facility. The main constituents of the contamination are halogenated hydrocarbons, primarily trichloroethylene and its associated degradation products. The groundwater contamination is a result of the past usage of two unlined surface impoundments, in which electroplating wastewater treatment sludge were stored. The two surface impoundments have been excavated, backfilled, certified closed and built upon (construction ended in 1987). The work took place under the regulatory supervision of the PADER (predecessor to Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP)), Southeast Regional Office.
Baldwin Hardware sold the property in 2011 to SBD Property Holdings who then sold the property in May 2015 to Tom Masano Auto Group.
Contaminants at this Facility
The main constituents of the contamination are halogenated hydrocarbons, primarily trichloroethylene and its associated degradation products.
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
|
The engineering controls for the facility require that there be quarterly groundwater monitoring to confirm that the pump and treat system is operational and effective in keeping the contamination on-site. In addition, the SSDS has monitoring requirements to confirm effectiveness in mitigating potential vapor intrusion exposures.
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.