Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Invensys Compliance Controls Site in New Stanton, Pennsylvania
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
The Cleanup Plan for the facility was approved by PADEP in May 2017. A larger 166-tree phytoremediation area was planted within a 5-acre area of the facility downgradient of the main source area in late 2016. Based on the success of the pilot tests, full-scale bioremediation via enhanced reductive de-chlorination was implemented beneath the floor slab in the source area in September 2017, with further full-scale injections into two water-bearing geological units forthcoming to help clean up contaminated groundwater beneath the facility.
Cleanup History
Remedial investigations and cleanup of the facility began soon after plant closure in 2000, and the facility entered the Act 2 Program in February 2001. The Final Report addressing the impacts from mercury contamination to the facility was approved in April 2011. The Final Report included an environmental covenant that codified restrictions on groundwater and land use at the facility, in addition to containing a Soil Management Plan for any necessary future land disturbances. Remedial measures addressing volatile contaminants are ongoing.
The Remedial Investigation addressing chlorinated solvent contamination at the facility was submitted in October 2011 and approved in December 2011. Soil contamination is generally limited to source areas, the majority of which have been removed. The soil vapor extraction system continues to extract volatile contaminants from the primary source area. A 56-tree phytoremediation plot was planted between the main source area and the eastern property boundary in 2012 to help contain and treat contaminated groundwater. Three bioremediation pilot tests were also conducted at the facility in 2014 that were successful in degrading contaminants in groundwater.
The Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment of the facility was approved by PADEP in June 2015.
Site Description
Interactive map of Invensys Compliance Controls Site, New Stanton PA
View larger mapThe former Robertshaw facility was constructed between 1959 and 1960 on a 193-acre plot of land in New Stanton, Pennsylvania. The facility manufactured various controls for residential and commercial appliances including electric and gas thermostats for ranges and water heaters, pressure switches and regulators, valves, timers, sensors, and other miscellaneous components. The facility has been operated by Siebe Appliance Controls and owned by Invensys Appliance Controls, who purchased the facility from Robertshaw in 2000. Schneider Electric acquired Invensys in 2014. Appliance control manufacturing operations have been inactive since January 2000. Westinghouse currently leases a majority of the facility and has occupied a portion of it since 2000.
Contaminants at this Facility
Primary contaminants at the facility include chlorinated volatile organic compounds including trichloroethene and trichloroethane and their degradation products, in addition to tetrachloroethene and mercury. Groundwater and soil at the facility are known to be contaminated; however, exposures to these media are limited to intrusive activities typically conducted by personnel using appropriate protective measures. Groundwater is not used as a drinking water source in the vicinity of the facility. The potential for vapor intrusion into facility buildings is currently mitigated by the soil vapor extraction system.
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
Institutional controls included in the covenants on the facility property include restrictions prohibiting residential use of the property, prohibiting any use of groundwater beneath the facility, prohibiting intrusive activities unless in compliance with the approved soil management plan, and prohibiting building construction without installing a vapor barrier.
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
The facility has been reused primarily as warehousing space; Westinghouse presently leases a majority of the facility.
Site Responsibility at this Facility
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action activities at this facility have been conducted under the direction of EPA Region 3 with assistance from PA DEP.