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Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Hand Craft Cleaners in Richmond, Virginia

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In 1998, it was determined that chlorinated compounds were released to a former in-ground grease trap tank, subsequently known as the excavation trench during closure activities. Hand Craft agreed to complete closure activities in accordance with Virginia Hazardous Waste Management Rule (HWMR) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) under a Consent Order issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ) in 1999. Subsequently, “clean closure” was issued in 2002 for unsaturated soils following excavation activities and closure verification.

    Cleanup Status

    In 2004, Hand Craft began a groundwater IM via permanganate injections for in situ chemical oxidation of the chlorinated compounds and routine groundwater monitoring. Hand Craft continued to conduct routine groundwater monitoring to evaluate concentration rebound.

    On September 8, 2008, DEQ completed an evaluation of available information and issued a “YES” determination for the “Migration of Contaminated Groundwater Under Control” Environmental Indicator (EI) in accordance with the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA).

    On July 30, 2009, DEQ completed an evaluation of available information and issued a “YES” determination for the “Current Human Exposures Under Control” EI in accordance with the GPRA.

    Based on groundwater monitoring data and observed concentration rebound of primarily tetrachloroethylene (PCE), DEQ approved a work plan submitted by Hand Craft in December 2012, to install a closed-loop groundwater recirculation system for enhanced reductive dechlorination of PCE.

    In July 2013, system construction was complete and system startup occurred. Prior to startup, baseline groundwater monitoring occurred.

    In October 2013, a Consent Order for implementation of the final remedy as described in the Statement of Basis was finalized. Hand Craft will continue to operate the system and conduct groundwater monitoring under clean closure cleanup standards for groundwater are met.

    On October 8, 2013, the Hand Craft Cleaners (Hand Craft) site located in Midlothian, Virginia achieved construction completion of its final remedy. A 30 day public comment period occurred from September 4, 2013, to October 4, 2013, soliciting comments on a Statement of Basis describing Hand Craft’s final remedy and a Consent Order for implementation of the final remedy. No comments were received by the Department.

    The final remedy consists of enhanced reductive dechlorination via a closed-loop groundwater recirculation system to treat tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and associated degradation compounds in groundwater. DEQ approved a work plan in December 2012, for system installation. System startup occurred on July 10, 2013. Hand Craft continues to conduct routine groundwater monitoring for remedial effectiveness.

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      Site Description

      Interactive Map of Hand Craft Cleaners, Richmond, VA

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      The former Hand Craft Cleaners Facility is a one-acre site located near the intersection of Midlothian Turnpike and Courthouse Road in Richmond, Virginia. The site is located in a commercially zoned area and Midlothian Turnpike marks the northern property boundary. A parking lot is located adjacent to the eastern and southern property boundaries and commercial businesses are located to the west of the site. The site is supplied potable water by a public water  supply distribution system and discharges to the area’s sanitary sewer system. There are no drinking water wells in the vicinity of the site and there are no known plans to construct any drinking water wells.

      Hand Craft Cleaners has not conducted dry cleaning operations at the property since 1996 and a retail store currently occupies the property. Prior to Hand Craft Cleaners, the site was originally constructed to serve as a Ponderosa Steak House restaurant. Hand Craft Cleaners purchased the property in 1987 and operated as a dry cleaning facility until 1996, at which time the dry cleaning activities were terminated and the facility was subsequently closed.

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      Contaminants at this Facility

      Contaminants of concern (COC) that have impacted groundwater include PCE and associated degradation compounds.

      Because Hand Craft achieved “clean closure” for unsaturated soil associated with the former excavation trench and waste pile in 2002, there is no longer a risk associated with soil on-site.

      No impacts to air, surface water, or sediments have been identified during the environmental investigations

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      Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility

      Institutional /Engineering Control Summary
      Restrictions or Controls that Address: Yes No
      Groundwater Use
      X
       
      Residential Use
      X
       
      Excavation
       
      X
      Vapor Intrusion
       
      X
      Capped Area(s)
       
      X
      Other Engineering Controls
      X
       
      Other Restrictions
       
      X
      • A County ordinance restricts the use of the uppermost groundwater.
      • The site is zoned commercial and cannot be used for residential purposes.
      • Hand Craft Cleaners operates a groundwater recirculation system that maintains hydraulic control over the groundwater and reduces the concentration of contaminants via reductive dechlorination.

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      Land Reuse Information at this Facility

      This property is a reuse property.

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      Site Responsibility at this Facility

      RCRA Corrective Action activities at this facility are being conducted under the direction of the Virginia DEQ with assistance from the EPA Region 3.

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