Mid-Atlantic Corrective Action

Emerson Electric Co.
(Former Alco Controls Division)

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On This Page

• Status
• Background
• Contaminants and Risks
• Institutional Controls
• Documents and Reports
• Photos, Maps and Diagrams
• Reuse Information
• Questions

EPA ID:VAD065415457
Location:
555 Peppers Ferry Road
Wytheville, VA 24382
Property Area 21.8 acres
Congressional District: 9
Other Names: Alco Controls
Last Updated: April 2015

Contacts

Bulletin Board

Status

Investigation and remediation of soil and groundwater on the Emerson property was completed under the DEQ’s Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP) from 2003 to 2006. The VDEQ VRP issued a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Remediation on July 9, 2007. In addition, a release of petroleum from an underground storage tank was remediated under the DEQ’s Petroleum Tank Program.

Additional site investigations and evaluations are currently being performed under the EPA’s Facility Lead Agreement (FLA) to ensure the remediation of the contaminated soils and groundwater are sufficient to meet the RCRA CA standards.  A sampling program to evaluate for potential vapor intrusion was completed in 2013 through 2014 and the results are under review by VDEQ. A final site remedy may be available in 2015 for review and public comment.

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Background

The facility initially operated as a textile mill and a knitting mill (Wyomissing Corporation) from 1935 until 1974.  Emerson Electric Corporation purchased the Alco Control Company in 1967. Alco manufactured refrigeration valves and expansion valves.  Tuttle Electric, which was purchased and owned by Emerson Electric, began production of open coil electric heating elements for commercial dryers and refrigerators at this site in 1974.  In 1981, the Alco Controls Division of Emerson Electric, purchased the property and took over production operations at the site. Alco Controls, under the ownership of Emerson, manufactured refrigeration control valves on the property from the late 1970s until 2001, when the facility was closed.

The Emerson manufacturing facility consisted of four buildings that covered approximately 139,000 square feet. Outdoor features include a chip storage area and two paved parking lots. The entire Emerson facility contains three parcels (lots). Lot 3 consists of approximately 12 acres and contains the former Emerson plant and surrounding land.  All manufacturing operations took place on Lot 3, where the original facility buildings were constructed. The major manufacturing activities at the facility included machining, brazing, welding, assembly, testing spray painting, parts washing, electroplating, packaging, shipping, and receiving.

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Contaminants and Risks

The primary compounds of concern at the site include 1,4-dioxane and 1,1,-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA) and its associated degradation products. In addition, the following gasoline-related constituents have been detected in soil and groundwater on the site: methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE), benzene, naphthalene, 1.2.4-trimethylbenzene (TMB) and 1,3,5-TMB.

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