Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Superior Tube Company Incorporated in Evansburg, Pennsylvania

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Cleanup Status

On September 30, 1993, EPA issued a Final Decision and Response to Comments  (FDRTC) for the Facility in which EPA selected, among other things, source reduction in the unsaturated fractured rock and soil via in-situ vapor extraction (lSVE) and the continued pumping and treating of contaminated groundwater until MCLs are attained. Since STC began implementing the remedy selected in the FDRTC, levels of contaminants in the groundwater throughout the contaminant plume have been reduced. The FDRTC, as amended on March 1, 2012 by  Explanation of Significant Differences (ESD) , will require the continued pumping and treating of groundwater and soil vapor extraction in northern recovery area unless it is determined to be technically impracticable to meet the MCLs.

 Cleanup Background

The Facility is currently under the One Cleanup Program with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).In 2011, Ametek/STC entered into the PADEP Act 2 Land Recyling Program (Act 2) in collaboration with the EPA to monitor and remediate groundwater contamination at the site. The contaminants of concerns (COCs) are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that include and not limited to tetrachloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), and vinyl chloride (VC) in groundwater.Currently, Ametek/STC operates six recovery wells, also referred to as the Northern Recovery System, to sustain hydraulic control of the groundwater plume and to remediate groundwater contamination via two onsite air strippers. The treated groundwater is discharged through a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.Currently, groundwater plume migration is under control and most of the contaminant plume is contained within the Facility boundaries.

In addition to the groundwater remediation, STC/Ametek connected several surrounding residences with groundwater wells to public water. In 2011-12 and under the agreement with 2011 PADEP Consent Order, Ametek/STC contributed to a water line extension in the vicinity of the Facility that included areas where the Facility-related contaminants can potentially impact the groundwater.  In March 2012, Lower Providence Township adopted an ordinance that requires all potable water users in the vicinity of the Facility to connect to public water, prohibits private groundwater wells in the vicinity of the Facility, and requires all existing groundwater wells in the vicinity of the Facility to be disconnected and closed in full compliance with all state and local laws.

Under the PADEP Act 2 Program and in collaboration with the EPA, Ametek/STC will continue to monitor the groundwater plume and operate the pump and treat system to ensure that the current network of pumping wells continue to control and remediate the groundwater contamination.Per the requirement of the Act 2 Program, Ametek/STC submits periodically status reports to both Agencies on the progress of the groundwater remediation.

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Site Description

Interactive map of Superior Tube Company Incorporated, Evansburg, PA

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In 2015, Ametek Inc. (Ametek) acquired the STC facility and retains the environmental liabilities at the site.The Ametek/STC facility is a specialty tube manufacturer located in Lower Providence Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, at the intersection of Germantown Pike and Cross Keys Road.The 71-acre site is situated along the French Run, a tributary of Perkiomen Creek.Since 1935, Ametek/STC has manufactured specialty cold drawn, precision tubing and tubular parts.The principal operations at the facility include drawing, welding, degreasing, pickling, annealing, cutting, forming, grinding, polishing, coating, and sandblasting metal tubing.

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Contaminants at this Facility

The primary substance of concern at the site is trichloroethylene (TCE), a solvent that is used as a degreaser at the facility.

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Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility

Institutional Controls include pumping and treating of groundwater and soil vapor extraction in northern recovery area unless it is determined to be technically impracticable to meet the maximum contaminant level (MCLs) for trichloroethylene (TCE).  ALso the Facility must  to connect to public water, prohibits private groundwater wells in the vicinity of the Facility, and requires all existing groundwater wells in the vicinity of the Facility to be disconnected and closed in full compliance with all state and local laws.

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Land Reuse Information at this Facility

The site is under continued use and also has a reused parcel.

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Site Responsibility at this Facility

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action activities at this facility have been conducted under the direction of PADEP with assistance from EPA Region 3.

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