Solitron Microwave

• Site Profile
• Administrative Record Index (PDF): OU1 (4 pp., 203K)
• Reuse Success Fact Sheet (PDF, 1 pp., 278K)
• Preliminary Closeout Report, August 2004 (PDF, 6 pp., 304K)
• Additional Site Documents including Five Year Reviews, Records of Decisions (ROD) and Explanation of Significant Differences (ESD).
• For documents not available on the website, please contact the Region 4 Freedom of Information Office (http://www.epa.gov/region4/foiapgs/submit.htm).

Site Background
The Solitron Microwave NPL Site occupies about 20 acres along Cove Road in Port Salerno, FL.  Solitron operated a plating and manufacturing business at the site from 1968 until January 1987.  Prior to that time, the Site was operated by General R. F. Fittings, a company that reportedly conducted plating operations similar to Solitron’s from 1963 to 1968.  Solitron Microwave manufactured thin film resistors and connectors for the military, aerospace, and microwave industries.  The resistors and connectors were electroplated with nickel, gold, silver, and other metals.  Spent metals were reclaimed after plating and process water was treated on- site to remove metals.  The treated water was then discharged to an on-site pond. 

Solvents used in the manufacturing process and in the cleaning operations were reportedly drummed and shipped off-site; however, site inspections during the mid 1980's noted leaking pipes and drum pads that were possible sources of solvent contamination to surrounding soil and groundwater.  Solitron was required by the State of Florida to remove approximately 260 cubic yards of sediments from the pond in 1989.  Later, Solitron performed more soil and groundwater sampling.  During the period from 1991 to August 1998, the Martin County Health Department tested various private drinking water wells located in the neighborhoods near the Site.  Twelve private wells had levels of contaminants that were above drinking water standards and were connected to the public water supply system.

Site Responsibility

The Site is currently being addressed by the United States EPA Superfund Program and the State of Florida.

Threats and Contaminants 

Common industrial solvents, such as perchloroethene (PCE), were used at the site. PCE and its breakdown products – Trichlorothene, 1,2 dichloroethene and vinyl chloride - are the most common groundwater contaminants.

Cleanup Approach 

In 1998, EPA began sampling at the site.  EPA's first round of sampling indicated that groundwater contamination remained at the Site.  Between 1998 and 2000, EPA funded and conducted a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) and issued a Proposed Plan for public comment in July 2000.  EPA signed the Record of Decision on November 1, 2000, which documented the selected remedy and included water line extensions, soil removal and off-site disposal, in-situ chemical oxidation of the most highly contaminated portion of the plume, and natural attenuation for the remaining groundwater contamination.

Cleanup Progress  

On August 6, 2004, EPA issued a Preliminary Close Out Report (PCOR) documenting that the EPA had completed the construction activities at the site relative to the selected remedy.  A copy of the PCOR is available in the documents section at the top of this page and at the site information repository. The selected remedy was implemented as discussed below.

Extension of Public Water Lines: Construction of the water lines was begun by Martin County in August 2002 and completed in May 2003 giving all residents in the area the opportunity to connect to public water.  EPA funded the installation of the water lines, paid the County impact fees, and placed a water meter in every yard within the designated area.  The Martin County Department of Health plans to continue regular sampling of private wells in the area which are in continued use as a drinking water source.  Any homes found to contain contaminant levels above drinking water standards will be connected to the public water supply using the State Drinking Water fund.

Excavation of Contaminated Soil: The selected remedy called for the excavation, characterization, and off site disposal of soil containing levels of Volatile Organic Compounds which had the potential to further contaminate the groundwater.  Contaminated soil near the rear of the building was excavated in November 2002.  In March 2003, the property was sold and in August 2003, the new owner demolished the buildings located on the property site.  EPA then excavated additional contaminated soil which had previously been underneath the building slab.  This soil was characterized and sent off site to a landfill.  The last of the contaminated soil was removed from the site in June 2004.

Groundwater Cleanup:  In December 2002, EPA and FDEP determined that the in-situ chemical oxidation portion of the groundwater remedy was unnecessary because natural processes had virtually eliminated the more contaminated areas to be treated via in-situ chemical oxidation.  EPA continues to regularly sample the groundwater in order to monitor the progress of natural attenuation.  This sampling will continue until cleanup standards are reached.

Site Repository

For more information or to view any site related documents, please visit the site information repository at the following location.  As new documents are generated, they will be placed in the information repository for public information.

Robert Morgade Public Library
5851 SE Community Drive
Stuart, Florida

(772) 463-3245