11032_BASF Facility_05.26.2021_SIR

DWM Brownfields Inspection Report
Submitted By: jkslaughter_ncdenr
Submitted Time: 05/27/2021 10:20 AM

I. Inspection Information
Date & Time: 05/26/2021 10:03 AM Inspection Type: Drive-By

Brownfields Staff:
Kevin Slaughter
Other Personnel:
Brandon Lucas- Corporate SHEQ Manager,
Centurion Container LLC (partner to Chesser
Container).
Location:
Lat: 35.27844, Long: -80.87529,

Brownfields Inspection Report: BASF Facility, 11032-07-060
05/26/2021 10:03 AM
Page 2 of 8

II. Project Information
Number: 11032-07-060 Name: BASF Facility
Address: 4330 Chesapeake
Drive

City: Charlotte

County: Mecklenburg

III. Environmental

Current Use of Property: Industrial
Structures on Property: Existing Structures Violation: No

Vapor Mitigation Systems: Observed Vapor Mitigation Violation: No

Use of Surface Water or Groundwater: Not Observed Water Use Violation: No

Exposed Soils: Not Observed Exposed Soils Violation: No

Summary: The Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE) system was not in operation at the time of the
site inspection. According to Mr. Brandon Lucas, AECOM removed the SVE blower in the
middle of March, and it either has not been replaced, or has been not restarted.

Summary: N/A

Summary: There are two large industrial buildings on the property. The southern building
is not currently in use, while the northern building is being operated by Centurion
Container LLC as a plastic tote sales and recycling facility.

Summary: N/A

Brownfields Inspection Report: BASF Facility, 11032-07-060
05/26/2021 10:03 AM
Page 3 of 8

Use of Basements: Not Observed Basement Violation: No

Storage of Chemicals: Observed Chemical Violation: No

Groundwater Monitoring Wells: Observed Monitoring Well Violation: Yes

Current Exposure to Public/Public Risk:

Summary: N/A

Summary: In the process of recycling plastic totes for resale, water, caustic soda, and a
citrus based d- limonene cleaner is used. Acetone is used to wipe down label plates so
new stickers can be applied prior to tote being sold.

Condition: Damaged
Summary: Numerous monitoring well vault lids were not bolted down due to the metal
well vaults being damaged. These vaults should be repaired or replaced so that the vault
lids can be secured, thereby protecting the monitoring wells located within.

The property is an active industrial facility, and the perimeter of the property is
surrounded by a chain-link fence topped with barbed wire. No risk to the general public
was observed at the time of the inspection.

Brownfields Inspection Report: BASF Facility, 11032-07-060
05/26/2021 10:03 AM
Page 4 of 8

IV. Inspector Comments

At the time of the Site Inspection, the SVE system was not operational, and has been shut down for a minimum
of two months based on when the blower motor was removed according to Mr. Lucus. Although the interior of
the SVE building could not be accessed during the Site Inspection (Photo 4), inspection of the exterior piping,
gauges, valves, test ports and vaults was possible. In addition to a missing a vacuum gauge, several of the other
vacuum gauges needed replacement or recalibration, and all the test ports appeared to be damaged. These
items, in addition to any other remediation system issues within the SVE building, should be addressed when the
SVE system is restarted.

Brownfields Staff contact Janet MacDonald in the IHSB Section for updates on SVE System. This property has
been assigned IHSB No NCN003149708. The following email correspondence address SVE blower condition and
status.
From: Macdonald, Janet K <[e-mail]>
Sent: Friday, June 25, 2021 4:47 PM
To: 'Rusty Norris' <[e-mail]>
Cc: Vernon C Burrows <[e-mail]>
Subject: BASF Wayndotte
Rusty, In an email to you on July 14, 2020, we requested that a new non-groundwater remedial action deadline and schedule be established in your
next certified report. I have reviewed the most recent Annual Update Report, dated April 5, 2021, for the above-named site and could not find a
proposed deadline and schedule.
In addition, a Site Inspection was conducted by Brownfields’ staff on May 25, 2021. It was noted that a SVE system was not operating and
components were in poor condition. They reviewed the April Annual Report which indicated that the system was running with one blower, but noted
that the one blower is now also non-operational. My understanding is that the SVE system is not serving as a vapor mitigation measure for occupied
structures, is that correct?
Please provide a reasonable deadline for meeting soil remedial goals based on site conditions, the remedy’s effectiveness and progress being made
thus far. Also, please explain the SVE system’s operational status and whether it serves to mitigate vapor intrusion. I would like to have this
information by July 15, 2021, or let me know before then when you will provide the information. If the system serves as a mitigation measure, please
contact me as soon as possible.
Kind regards, Janet
From: [e-mail] <[e-mail]>
Sent: Friday, July 23, 2021 12:50 PM
To: Macdonald, Janet K <[e-mail]>
Cc: 'Vernon C Burrows' <[e-mail]>
Subject: [External] RE: BASF Wayndotte
Hi Janet. We had a call on this topic yesterday with AECOM and they will be conducting an engineering evaluation to develop a timeframe for the
non-groundwater (SVE) remedial action to be completed. A certified letter will follow shortly thereafter. We also discussed the SVE systems at the
site. The manufacturing building system (where the Brownfields Program conducted an inspection) was brought back on-line on July 2nd. As we
discussed previously, the maintenance building system is currently off-line based on low site concentration levels and confirmatory closure sampling
conducted. An email will follow (next week) to provide an update on overall system operations and the evaluation of confirmatory closure
sampling. As we also discussed, the manufacturing system is not acting as a VI mitigation system, but rather as the deeper source soil remedy. Details
will also be included in the correspondence next week. Please let me know if you have any questions. Enjoy the upcoming weekend.
Rusty Norris, PE, PLS, RSM, Office: [phone], Cellular: [phone]
Brownfields Inspection Report: BASF Facility, 11032-07-060
05/26/2021 10:03 AM
Page 5 of 8

V. PHOTOGRAPHS

Photo 1: Main entrance to northern building on the property which is used by both Chesser
Container, and Centurion Container.

Brownfields Inspection Report: BASF Facility, 11032-07-060
05/26/2021 10:03 AM
Page 6 of 8

Photo 2: New plastic totes prior to metal cages being attached and eventually sold.

Photo 3: Used plastic totes in the process of being refurbished.

Brownfields Inspection Report: BASF Facility, 11032-07-060
05/26/2021 10:03 AM
Page 7 of 8

Photo 4: Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE) system not operational at the time of the Site Inspection.

Photo 5: Vacuum gauges, some of which are reading significant vacuum even though system is
turned off, and sample collection ports below them that appear damaged and open to the
atmosphere.

Brownfields Inspection Report: BASF Facility, 11032-07-060
05/26/2021 10:03 AM
Page 8 of 8

Photo 6: Photo of SVE and monitoring well vaults looking southwest towards the SVE system
building. Used plastic totes and metal cages visible in photograph.

Photo 7: Second SVE system (not operating) located east of the Brownfield property.