Mid-Atlantic Superfund

EPA Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic)

Delaware
Sussex County
1/2 mile southeast of Millsboro

EPA ID# DED043958388

1st Congressional District

Last Update: August 2008

Other Names

First Freedom Center
Allfirst Financial Center

Current Site Status

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is overseeing a pump and treat system enhanced with an air sparging/vapor extraction system (AS/SVE) to treat groundwater contaminated with the solvent trichloroethylene (TCE) at this site. With the exception of two monitoring locations, the concentration of TCE has been reduced to the federal drinking water standard of 5 micrograms per liter. Concentrations of TCE have increased at one monitoring location outside the current ground water treatment area. EPA is working with NCR to evaluate the source of the TCE and potential actions to reduce the concentration of TCE in this area. Ground water not captured by the pump and treat system flows into Iron Branch Creek. Domestic wells, downgradient from the site, are sampled once a year. To date, TCE has not been detected in the domestic wells. Monitoring of the surface water and sediment in Iron Branch Creek is ongoing. EPA completed a Five Year Review of the Site on June 28, 2005, which found that the remedy overall is functioning as intended and is protective.

Site Description

The NCR Corporation site manufactured cash registers from 1967 to 1975 and electronic equipment from 1975 to 1980 on a portion of this 140-acre site. The solvent, TCE, was stored in a tank outside the manufacturing building and was used in degreasing operations. Waste suspensions from the plating operation were discharged to on-site concrete lagoons for sedimentation and clarification. The chromium-bearing sludge that accumulated in the lagoons was disposed of in a pit on the NCR property. The pit was subsequently excavated and the materials were disposed off site. After manufacturing operations were discontinued, First Omni Bank, National Association of Maryland, purchased the operating portion of the property from NCR in 1981. In July 2003, First Omni Bank merged with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company. Groundwater monitoring revealed that the groundwater is contaminated with TCE. Several communities that rely on groundwater as a source of drinking water are located close to the site.

Site Responsibility

This site is being addressed through a combination of federal, state, and potentially responsible parties' actions.

NPL Listing History

This site was proposed to the National Priorities List of the most serious uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites requiring long term remedial action on April 10, 1985. The site was formally added to the list July 22, 1987, making it eligible for federal cleanup funds.

Threats and Contaminants

The groundwater is contaminated with TCE. No contaminants have been found in domestic supply wells. People who come into direct contact with or ingest contaminated groundwater may be at risk.

Contaminant descriptions and associated risk factors are available at: (ATSDR web site) http://www.atsdrcdc.gov/hazdat.htm

 

Cleanup Progress

NCR excavated chromium-bearing sludge from a bentonite-lined pit and drained and removed toxic materials from two concrete-lined storage lagoons in 1981. NCR also installed 28 monitoring wells and implemented a groundwater monitoring program. In 1988, a groundwater recovery program and an air stripper were put into operation to prevent off-site migration of contaminants. Under a State Consent Order, NCR conducted a study to determine the extent of groundwater contamination. In March of 1992, EPA issued a Unilateral Administrative Order requiring NCR and Allfirst Financial Center to design, construct, operate, and maintain the remedy selected in EPA’s 1991 Record of Decision (ROD).

Phase I of the remedy consists of additional recovery wells, an infiltration trench, and air emission controls. Groundwater is pumped through the recovery wells to the air stripper and discharged to an onsite infiltration trench. All air emissions are treated in an activated carbon treatment system. The construction of Phase I was completed in November 1995 and is a long-term remedial action which will probably operate for 30 years.

The ROD was modified with two separate Explanation of Significant Differences (ESDs). The first ESD included the use of air sparging/soil vapor extraction for the treatment of groundwater down gradient of the site (Phase II) . Construction for the Phase II remedy was completed in September 1996. The air sparging technology of the Phase II system successfully restored the aquifer to the federal safety standard and was shut down in April 2001.

The second ESD included the use of the same technology to enhance the pump and treat system on the Phase I portion of the site. The construction of the Phase I remedy enhancement was completed in March 1999 and continues to operate.

The Phase I system has removed over 400 gallons of TCE from the groundwater.

EPA completed a Five Year Review of the Site on June 28, 2005, which found that the remedy overall is functioning as intended and is protective.

Contacts

Site Contacts

Administrative Record Locations