Mid-Atlantic Superfund

EPA Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic)

Virginia
Pittsylvania County
Near Beaver Park

EPA ID# VAD980554984

5th Congressional District

Last Update: January 2012

Other Names

Compton Farm

Current Site Status

The potentially responsible parties (PRPs) have implemented a long-term monitoring program which includes analyses of groundwater and surface water. Approximately 500,000 gallons of leachate were removed from the landfill in 1996. Treatment and disposal of the leachate occur at the publicly owned wastewater treatment plant.

The PRPs have prepared a feasibility for the zinc contaminated soil located in the Southern Drainage and Lawless Creek Wetland area. EPA is working on a Proposed Plan to select a remedy to cleanup of the zinc contaminated soils.

Site Description

The First Piedmont Rock Quarry Site, located in Pittsylvania County, Virginia (5th Congressional District) is a 4-acre former quarry that was used as an industrial landfill. Between 1970 and 1972, the First Piedmont Corporation leased the former quarry to dispose of 65,000 cubic yards of waste material, including 15,000 gallons of liquid waste generated by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. The Virginia State Health Department (VA DOH) ordered the site closed after a fire, possibly caused by spontaneous combustion of waste materials buried in the quarry. In December 1987, the Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs): First Piedmont Corporation, Corning Glass Works, and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, signed a Consent Order to conduct an investigation into the extent of the contamination and to identify technologies available for cleanup. Sampling of the soils on the site has detected elevated levels of heavy metals; including arsenic, chromium, lead, and zinc. Elevated levels of lead and zinc have also been detected in surface water. Although the site is located adjacent to a residential development of 260 people, no site contaminants were detected during the sampling of the wells serving these homes. Approximately 380 people live within one mile of the site and an estimated 1,800 people live within two miles of the site.

Site Responsibility

Cleanup of this site is the responsibility of the federal government and parties potentially responsible.

NPL Listing History

This site was proposed to the National Priorities List of the most serious uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites requiring long term remedial action on April 1, 1985. The site was formally added to the list July 22, 1987, making it eligible for federal cleanup funds.

Threats and Contaminants

Early on-site soil samples have shown elevated levels of heavy metals including arsenic, chromium, lead, and zinc. Lead and zinc have also been found in surface water at levels potentially harmful to aquatic life. Initial and subsequent investigations have shown no threats to residential drinking water. Potential risk to individuals through direct contact or accidental ingestion of contaminated leachate, surface water, or soils have been mitigated. The threat due to migration/erosion of site-related contamination to the nearby Lawless and Fall Creeks was thought to have been eliminated through source control actions.

Contaminant descriptions and risk factors are available from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, an arm of the CDC.

Cleanup Progress

The PRPs have prepared a feasibilitystudy for the zinc contaminated soil located in the Southern Drainage and Lawless Creek Wetland area. EPA is working on a Proposed Plan to select a remedy to cleanup of the zinc contaminated soils.

Contacts

Site Contacts

Administrative Record Locations