An official website of the United States government.

This is not the current EPA website. To navigate to the current EPA website, please go to www.epa.gov. This website is historical material reflecting the EPA website as it existed on January 19, 2021. This website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. More information »

Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Hoover Treated Wood Products in Milford, Virginia

On this page:


Cleanup Status

In July 2016, the facility's Hazardous Waste Management Permit was modified to incorporate a final remedy detailed in a Statement of Basis developed by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) dated May 13, 2016, which includes continued operation of the existing groundwater extraction system to reduce concentrations of arsenic in groundwater and to provide containment of the dissolved arsenic groundwater plume, and compliance with institutional controls. The Statement of Basis and Permit modifications underwent a 60-day public comment period. The DEQ received no comments expressing the opinion that the DEQ should modify the final remedy decision. The modified Permit became effective on July 8, 2016 and represents Remedy Selection and Remedy Construction Complete determinations in accordance with the Corrective Action process.

Cleanup - Background

Building One, located on the northwest portion of the Hoover facility, was the location where residual wood preservative materials were treated, temporarily stored, and stabilized. Based on approved closure activities, clean closure of Building One, its contents, and the underlying unsaturated soils was successfully completed on December 1, 1999.

Area A, located on the northeast portion of the Hoover facility, was the location where the stabilized residual wood preservative materials were deposited. Based on approved closure activities, clean closure of unsaturated soils in Area A was successfully completed on December 1, 1999.  However, clean closure of the groundwater could not be achieved.  Therefore, the post-closure care period for Area A continued through the issuance of a Post-Closure Care Permit (Permit) for Area A on December 15, 2005 which included provisions for RCRA Site-wide Corrective Action.

On July 18, 2006, 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 September 12, 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.

The Hoover Treated Wood Products, Inc. (Hoover) facility submitted a RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) Phase II Work Plan to DEQ in August 2011 for further investigation and characterization of arsenic in groundwater on-site including potential impacts to surface water and sediments off-site and to complete a groundwater recovery system/treatment effectiveness evaluation. 

An Interim Measure (IM) for the cleanup of groundwater, which includes a groundwater recovery system, was implemented on-site and has been operating since 2003.  The treatment effectiveness and hydraulic containment capabilities of the system were evaluate during the RFI Phase II investigation and supported remedy evaluation. 

Post Closure Care for Area A was transferred to site-wide corrective action through the Facility’s Hazardous Management Permit issued on July 8, 2016.

Top of Page


Site Description

Interactive Map of Hoover Treated Wood Products, Milford, VA

The Hoover facility occupies approximately 64 acres of property located in Milford, Virginia. The facility lies within the Mattaponi River Basin, approximately one mile east of the Mattaponi River and is bound on the north by a low-lying marshy intermittent drainage way and on the south by tidal wetlands.

Hoover produces pressure treated wood products using a chromate copper arsenate (CCA) solution and other wood treating solutions as well as interior and exterior fire retardants. Historically, residual preservative materials were applied to the facility’s land after being mixed with a stabilizing agent.

Top of Page


Contaminants at this Facility

Contaminants include arsenic in groundwater site-wide with lesser concentrations of other inorganics at Area A.

No impacts to air and surface water have been identified during the environmental investigations and contaminants observed in soil at Area A were removed during unit closure. No other impacts to soil were identified during the RFI process.

Arsenic was observed in sediment to the south of the facility. However the levels observed are not likely to pose an adverse risk to the environment. Since arsenic in groundwater is contained on-site, it’s anticipated that arsenic observed in sediment will attenuate over time.

Top of Page


Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility

Institutional controls are required to restrict the facility to non-residential uses, and groundwater use is restricted and also groundwater monitor is required until arsenic levels are at acceptable levels.

  Top of Page


Land Reuse Information at this Facility

This property is a continued use property.

Top of Page


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.

Top of Page