Chesapeake Products Site is an inactive fertilizer production/packaging facility located in a heavily industrialized area of Chesapeake, Virginia adjacent to the southern branch of the Elizabeth River. The site is approximately 7.6 acres in size and includes several structures that were used for fertilizer manufacturing and storage of fertilizer raw materials. Numerous piles of micronutrient fertilizer and fertilizer raw materials are located inside site structures. The roof of the main warehouse building has partially collapsed and almost the entire floor is flooded with water. The city of Chesapeake Fire Department deemed the buildings unsafe for occupancy in 2004. The main warehouse building contains approximately 314,000 gallons of flood water. EPA conducted site assessments at the site in 2005 and 2006. Analytical results indicate that site soils, material piles, and flood water contain elevated levels of lead and other hazardous substances or pollutants and contaminants. Chesapeake Products parent company, Frit Industries, Inc. (Frit) entered into a Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent with EPA in August 2008. Frit agreed to remove material piles and flood water from the site and to demolish site buildings. EPA plans to address site soils after Frit has completed demolition of site structures.
- Frit Industries' contractor, SCS Engineers was on site March 13 and 14, 2008 to conduct sampling of material piles and flood water. A total of three water samples were collected from the flood water in the main warehouse building and 23 samples were collected from material piles located in three site buildings. Analytical results will be used to determine proper treatment/disposal of the flood water and whether material piles are suitable for use as a feedstock at an off site fertilizer production facility.
- EPA and START were on site to monitor site activities.
- SCS engineers are preparing reports detailing the findings of an asbestos inspection and structural integrity assessment that were conducted earlier this year.
In accordance with the Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent for Removal Response Action, Frit Industries contractor, SCS Engineers, plans to begin removing flood water from the site and shipping material piles off site for use as feedstock during the summer of 2008. Demolition of site structures is planned to begin in the fall of 2008. EPA will conduct further assessment, and remediation of site soils after planned removal and demolition work is completed by Frit Industries.
SCS Engineers will determine proper treatment/disposal of flood water upon receipt of analytical results.
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