Mid-Atlantic Corrective Action

Glenn Springs Holdings Inc.
(Formerly: Occidental Chemical Company)

On This Page

• Status
• Background
• Contaminants and Risks
• Institutional Controls
• Documents and Reports
• Photos, Maps and Diagrams
• Reuse Information
• Questions

EPA ID:WVD005010277
Location:
301 West Dupont Avenue
Belle, WV 25015
Property Area 23 acres
Congressional District: 2
Other Names: Occidental Chemical Company
OxyChem
Belle Alkali Company
Last Updated: November 2012

Contacts

Bulletin Board

Status

• In September 1992, the Occidental Chemical Company (OxyChem) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) entered into an Administrative Order on Consent to conduct a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Facility Investigation (RFI) and a Corrective Measures Study (CMS) and to perform Interim Measures (IMs), as necessary, at the Facility. The RFI was implemented in two phases: The purpose of Phase I, which was completed in July 1998, was to evaluate whether soil and groundwater quality was impacted by the solid waste management units located on facility property. Phase I field work included extensive surface, subsurface soil and groundwater sampling, aquifer testing, geophysical studies and collection of sediment and surface water samples. The results of Phase I work indicated that there are two broad source areas, the Production Area and Area 7. The Phase II RFI was designed to expand on the Phase I RFI work by further investigating soil and groundwater quality associated with these sources. In addition, Phase II evaluated the potential ecological impact from releases at the site, and included other data collection activities, such as additional surface soil analysis, necessary for the completion of the RFI. Phase II work was initiated in the spring of 1999 and completed by the summer of 2000. The potential human health and ecological risks posed by the site were evaluated for various exposure scenarios. This evaluation was completed in 2003 and EPA approved the Final RFI in February 2004. EPA also approved the Human Health Indicator in 2004.
• The property is now managed by Glenn Springs Holdings, Inc. (Glenn Springs). Due to the site's complexity, EPA and Glenn Springs decided the best path forward for the facility would be to implement interim measure cleanups, prior to selecting a final remedy. Glenn Springs is currently implementing two interim measures. One interim measure is an in-situ enhanced bioremediation technology in the former plant production area (the Production Source Area), begun in the Summer of 2004. Numerous wells introduce a dilute molasses solution into the aquifer in the Production Source Area. The molasses provides a food source to indigenous microbes that can biodegrade the primary site contaminants. To facilitate distribution of the molasses solution, Glenn Springs enhanced permeability of the subsurface through hydro-fracturing.
• The other interim measure is a sheet pile wall, keyed into bedrock, located near the confluence of Reynolds branch and the Kanawha River. Glenn Springs installed the wall in the Fall of 2005. Because groundwater data indicated that the sheet-pile wall is not completely impermeable, Glenn Springs proposed a system of TreeWellsŪ to maintain hydraulic control within the wall. EPA/ WVDEP, and Glenn Springs are currently evaluating the TreeWellsŪ as a potential part of the final remedy for the site.
• OxyChem is actively involved in the Community Action Committee established jointly by DuPont and OxyChem to address citizen's concerns about the site safety, health and environmental performance and review related topics. The Committee is composed of citizens from neighboring communities and plant personnel. Programs like the RFI are typically reviewed in the team's monthly meetings. OxyChem representatives attend these meetings and share pertinent information about the activities at the site. EPA provides periodic updates to the group on the status of the cleanup. EPA, WVDEP and Oxychem plan to keep the community involved as we work toward a final remedy at the site.

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Background

• The former OxyChem facility is located in Belle, West Virginia, approximately 15 miles southeast of Charleston, West Virginia, on a 23-acre site adjacent to the Kanawha River. The Belle Facility is located in a mixed industrial/residential area, which includes the DuPont Belle plant located immediately adjacent to the site's northern property boundary. Chemical production operations began at the site in 1920 by Belle Alkali Company and continued through a succession of owners and tenants until OxyChem purchased the facility in 1986. OxyChem manufactured multi-product chloromethanes from chlorine until the plant shutdown in October 1994. All process equipment and buildings have been taken down and removed from the site.

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Contaminants and Risks

• Volatile organic compounds are the main constituents found in the site's soil and groundwater. These compounds primarily consist of methylene chloride, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride. Semi-volatile organic compounds and metals were also detected.

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