The Defense Supply Center Richmond sits on 640 acres in Chesterfield County, Virginia, about eight miles south of Richmond. The facility has operated since 1941, supporting aviation equipment manufacturing and repair, firefighter training, and hazardous chemical storage. Waste disposal in a shallow ravine called the Area 50 Landfill during the 1960s and early 1970s spread contamination through soil, sediment, and groundwater. The site was added to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) in July 1987.
Contaminants of concern include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, vinyl chloride, carbon tetrachloride, benzene, and chloroform in groundwater. Metals including lead, arsenic, chromium, copper, and zinc are present in both soil and groundwater. Soil also contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticide residues like DDT and DDE, polychlorinated biphenyls, and a dioxin compound. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), linked to past firefighting foam use, have been detected in groundwater above EPA screening levels.
Cleanup is organized into 14 operable units (OUs), each targeting a specific area or problem. Completed actions include excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated soil, soil and asphalt covers, land use controls, and groundwater bioremediation at several units. Remedial action at three groundwater OUs is still ongoing. A remedial investigation for OU 14, which addresses PFAS contamination, is estimated to begin between June and August 2027. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) leads cleanup, with EPA overseeing compliance. The 2023 five-year review concluded that current remedies protect public health, with recommendations for additional steps to maintain future protectiveness. The next five-year review is scheduled for September 2028.
Human exposure is currently under control, meaning no unacceptable exposure pathways exist at this time. Land use controls restrict residential development, limit access to contaminated areas, prohibit groundwater use, and require environmental assessments before any construction or ground disturbance. Construction across the entire site is not yet complete, and the site remains on the NPL.
Community members can follow cleanup progress through the Restoration Advisory Board, which has met publicly since 2002. The board typically meets at 7:30 pm on the first Monday of April and October at the Bensley Community Center. Adam Berry at the DLA can confirm meeting dates. Site documents, including the Administrative Record, are available online or in person at the Defense Supply Center Richmond Environmental Programs Office and the Chesterfield Central Library at 9501 Lori Road in Richmond.
