Hazardous Waste Cleanup: General Electric Company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
A long term inspection report in November 2014, showed that all institutional and engineer controls were met.
A groundwater pump and treat system, in operation since 1987, continues to operate. No future activity is planned for this property. No excavation or digging is allowed on the landfill to ensure integrity of the cap. Groundwater under this property will not be used for potable purposes.
The investigation and any necessary clean up activities are being implemented in accordance with a federal Corrective Action Order issued on December 1, 1988, and a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) Order issued in 2008.
On September 24, 2002 Environmental Indicators "Current Human Exposures Under Control" and Groundwater Migration Controlled were achieved.
Site Description
Interactive map of General Electric Company, Lancaster, PA
View larger mapThe GE Lancaster facility currently consists of a parcel of land containing a closed, capped Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)-regulated surface impoundment (Lower Lagoon), a closed, capped landfill (Upper Quarry), and a groundwater recovery and treatment system (GWRTS).
The GE Lancaster facility was formerly part of the RCA Facility located on New Holland Avenue in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The RCA Corporation owned the RCA Facility from the late 1940's to June 1986 when GE purchased the RCA Corporation. Burle Industries, Inc. subsequently purchased the former RCA manufacturing plant from GE in July 1987. As part of the sale agreement, GE retained the property containing the Lower Lagoon, the Upper Quarry, and the GWRTS.
Results from early investigations indicated that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were present in the groundwater beneath the facility. The Lower Lagoon and Upper Quarry were closed and capped in 1987 in an effort to address the sources of groundwater contamination. The GWRTS also began operation in 1987. Its functions are to keep contaminated groundwater from leaving the site property and to reduce the size of the contaminated plume. Remediation of the groundwater has three steps 1) groundwater recovery, 2) air stripping to remove VOCs from the groundwater, and 3) removal of VOCs from the stripper off-gas.
During 2010, the GWRTS consisted of four recovery points: three wells and one surface water spring.
Contaminants at this Facility
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were present in the groundwater beneath the facility.
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
| 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
|
Groundwater under this entire property shall not be used for potable purposes. An engineering control consisting of groundwater pump and treatment system has been in operation since 1987. Also the upper quarry landfill area is capped and no excavation or digging is permitted in the landfill to ensure the integrity of the landfill cap.
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
The site is unused.
Site Responsibility at this Facility
RCRA Corrective Action activities at this facility have been conducted under the direction of EPA Region 3.