Chem-Solv, Inc.

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Map of Delaware Showing Superfund Sites

EPA ID: DED980714141

Location:

176A N Dupont Hwy
Cheswold, DE 19901
Kent County

Congressional District: 1st

Other Names: None

Last Updated: December 2012

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Contacts

Remedial Project Manager
Christian Matta
215-814-2317
matta.christian@epa.gov

Community Involvement Coordinator
Vance Evans
800-553-2509
215-814-5526
evans.vance@epa.gov

State and Congressional Liaison
Sasha Brown-Perry
215-814-5404
Brown-Perry.kinshasa@Epa.gov

Bulletin Board

Questions

The EPA is dedicated to providing you with timely and accurate information about our work at this site. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:
Vance Evans
800-553-2509
215-814-5526

Site Status

In 1985, the state excavated and treated 1,300 cubic yards of contaminated soil and installed a groundwater recovery system which it operated from 1985 to 1988. The system reduced the TCE concentrations range from the 200-300 parts per million to 1 part per million.
In March 1992, EPA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) which requires additional recovery of contaminated groundwater in order to reduce contaminant concentrations in the Columbia Aquifer to the level of drinking water standards. The ROD also restricts the use of groundwater in the contaminated aquifer until cleanup levels are achieved. It also provided for an alternate water supply to area residents, if necessary.
In 1992, EPA issued an order to 33 companies (potentially responsible parties - PRPs) requiring them to carry out the cleanup identified in the ROD.
Groundwater recovery and treatment began in 1997, and after 48 million gallons of contaminated groundwater was treated, the pumping was conditionally stoppped based on great improvement in groundwater quality. Later, based on higher contaminant concentrations, the pumping was resumed.
PRPs continue to monitor domestic, recovery and monitoring wells until cleanup levels are met. A groundwater management zone has been established which restricts groundwater use until cleanup levels are achieved.
As required by the ROD, the PRPs immediately provided bottle water to the owners of the contaminated private wells. In 1996-1998, the PRPs replaced two private wells with wells that tap a deeper, uncontaminated aquifer, and replaced six contaminated private wells downgradient of the site, with deeper wells.

EPA is currently performing a Five Year Review that is expected to be completed by September 2013. The Five Year Review will evaluate the remedy currently in place to ensure it is functioning as intended and protective of human health and the environment.

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Background

The Chem-Solv, Inc. site is located on a 1.5-acre property in Cheswold, Delaware. Chem-Solv was a small solvent distillation facility beginning in 1982.
The facility recycled waste solvents, but in 1984 an explosion and fire at the site destroyed the facility. Witnesses, at the time, saw fluids flowing off a concrete pad and into the soil.
After the fire, authorities evaluated the Columbia Aquifer beneath the site and found high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), primarly TCE, were found in the aquifer.
In 1995, TCE was found in a private water supply well located immediately downhill from the facility, at levels 200 times greater than the drinking water standard.
The total population of Cheswold is about 300 residents.

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Cleanup History

NPL Listing History

Status:	Proposed: January 1987
Deleted:	Added: August 1990

In 1985, the state excavated and treated 1,300 cubic yards of contaminated soil and installed a groundwater recovery system which it operated from 1985 to 1988. The system reduced the TCE concentrations from the 200-300 parts per million range to the 1 part per million range.
In March 1992, EPA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) which requires additional recovery of contaminated groundwater in order to reduce contaminant concentrations in the Columbia Aquifer to the level of drinking water standards. The ROD also restrcts the use of groundwater in the contaminated aquifer until cleanup levels are achieved. It also provided for an alternate water supply to area residents, if necessary.
In 1992, EPA issued an order to 33 companies (potentially responsible parties - PRPs) requiring them to carry out the cleanup layed out in the ROD.
Groundwater recovery and treatment begain in 1997, and after 48 million gallons of contaminated groundwater was treated, the pumping was conditionally stoppped based on great improvement in groundwater quality. Later, based on higher contaminant concentrations, the pumping was resumed.
PRPs continue to monitor domestic, recovery and monitoring wells until cleanup levels are met. A groundwater management zone has been established which restricts groundwater use until cleanup levels are acheived.
As required by the ROD, the PRPs immediately provided bottle water to the owners of the contaminated private wells. In 1996-1998, the PRPs replaced two private wells with wells that tap a deeper, uncontaminated aquifer, and replaced six uncontaminated private wells downgradient of the site, with deeper wells.

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Contaminants and Risks

Contaminant descriptions and associated risk factors are available at: (ATSDR web site).

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Documents and Reports

To search an on-line database of all documents and reports on the Chem-Solv, Inc. site, go to EPA’s Administrative Record Database.

All documents and reports can also be reviewed in person at these locations:

William C. Jason Library
Delaware State College
1200 North DuPont Highway
Dover, DE 19901
302-739-3571

U.S. EPA Region 3 NPL Public Docket
c/o U.S. EPA Region 3 Library
1650 Arch Street, 2nd floor (3PM52)
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029

Submit a FOIA Request
Get instructions on how to submit a FOIA request. $Fee$ for requests over 100 pages.

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Photos, Maps and Diagrams

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Community Information

This is Superfund: A Community Guide to EPA's Superfund Program (PDF) (12 pp, 1.1MB)
Fact Sheet
June 1999: EPA Completes Construction at Chem-Solv Superfund Site
Press Release
10/14/1998: EPA Exceeds Regional Goal with 11 Mid-Atlantic Cleanups
Public Notice
June 1999: EPA Issues Explanation of Significant Differences for Chem-Solv, Inc. Superfund Site