On August 11, 2008, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR) requested that the Emergency Response and Removal Branch (ERRB) of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conduct a removal assessment for the Vantran Electric Site to determine if an ERRB removal action is warranted. Previous investigations conducted by the GA DNR and EPA have documented PCB contamination; however, recent investigations conducted on behalf of a prospective purchaser led to suspicions that transformers may be buried onsite. The suspected burial location is behind the building where transformers were manufactured and later refurbished by Vantran Electric Corporation.
The 11.36 acre Vantran Site (the site) is located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Georgia Highway 17 and Airport Road, Louisville, Jefferson County, Georgia. The site, along with the surrounding area, is predominately used for commercial and industrial purposes, although there are private residences within a quarter mile. The site is located less than 2,000 feet from the single airway that comprises the Louisville Municipal Airport. The site is bounded to the south by the airport and is bounded to the north by Georgia Highway 17, to the east by Airport Road, and to the west by wooded property.
In 1970, the property was purchased from the City of Louisville, by Vantran Electric Corporation of Waco, Texas. From 1970 to 1973, Vantran manufactured transformers containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) onsite. Various onsite processes related to transformer manufacturing included: painting, baking and annealing in ovens, welding, winding of core, coils and assembly. Transformer manufacturing ceased in 1973; although, Vantran continued to refurbish and repair transformers onsite until sometime prior to 1987 and eventually, ceased onsite operations during the mid to late 1990s. The site is currently vacant and the property listed for sale by owner.
OSC Lloyd and ERRS mobilized to the Vantran Electric Site on May 23, 2010 to conduct excavation of PCB contaminated soils. A soil staging area was constructed using an earthern berm and poly to contain the excavated soils and prevent further soil contamination at the site. Contaminated soil was excavated and segregated based on previous lab analyticals, visual examination and PCB Chlor-N-Soil analyses. Two french drains were encountered during the excavation and each exhibited strong solvent odors along with 3-4 foot of associated gravel and soil which were staged separately. Approximately 3,400 cubic yards of soil were excavated and staged into five separate stockpiles. Each stockpile was sampled and is awaiting disposal profiles before load out stockpiled soils can begin.
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