EPA Superfund Site

CULPEPER WOOD PRESERVERS, INC.

VA | EPA ID VAD059165282

About this site’s exposure pathways: As of April 2025, the Culpeper Wood Preservers Superfund site is considered “Insufficient Data to make a Human Exposure evaluation” (HEID) because of a newly identified exposure pathway and/or contaminant(s) - residential wells located downgradient of source areas and within the known historic plume area will be sampled in 2025 to determine whether site contaminants of concern (COCs), including hexavalent chromium, arsenic, copper and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are present in private drinking water wells. The site was previously categorized as human exposure under control (HEUC). A removal action in 2020 eliminated exposures to site contaminants in many private wells located within the COC plume, which extends north and off the operating facility property. However, some residents who historically refused access have indicated to EPA that they will permit access to conduct sampling of their private wells. Tenants living on potentially-responsible party (PRP)-owned residential properties have indicated their desire to have sampling completed; EPA is addressing access to these properties. Additionally, and as part of the overall remedial investigation to determine the source and extent of contamination, EPA will conduct private well sampling in August 2025 to determine whether exposures to site COCs are within or above acceptable drinking water and risk criteria. Individuals with private wells can reduce risk of unhealthy exposures by staying informed about ongoing investigations. Residents with private wells may also consider using an alternative source of drinking water or using water filters.

EPA uses this Human Exposure status when there is a lack of evidence to suggest that actual or reasonably anticipated human exposures are occurring and that those exposures are above acceptable risk-based levels. The planned activities to collect sufficient information to evaluate this new exposure pathway and/or contaminants(s) include PRP-led sampling of onsite and offsite monitoring and production wells and sumps; EPA-led sampling of residential wells surrounding the active wood treater property; and, human health risk assessment of these data by an EPA toxicologist/risk assessor. EPA currently anticipates that there will be sufficient data to make a Human Exposure evaluation by the end of the 2025 fiscal year.