‘Restricted use area’ established on Charleston’s West Side after Benzene detected in groundwater

By Matthew Young

Members of the Charleston City Council Environmental and Recycling Committee, on Monday, discussed the need to establish a “restricted use area” in the city’s West Side neighborhood. 

Within the “restricted use area” – which is a requirement of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) – the extraction of groundwater will be prohibited for reasons other than testing or remediation. 

As explained during Monday’s meeting by City Attorney Joseph Baldwin, the restricted use area has been deemed necessary due to the discovery of underground storage tanks in the vicinity of the United Dairy facility, at 508 Roane Street. The tanks are believed to date back before the 1980s, and were installed by Hexion – the previous property owner.

According to Baldwin, Benzene and nepheline were detected during routine groundwater testing. Benzene is a byproduct of crude oil and nepheline is used in the production of ceramic and glass. 

“These storage tanks are related to the fuel tanks that would have been underneath, but those have since been relocated and removed,” Baldwin said. “Based on the testing of the groundwater in that area, [DEP] detected levels that were above residential, but below industrial standards.”

“Based on those tests, we’ve been required by DEP to document that for the world to know that this area has those restrictions for ground use,” Baldwin noted.

The restricted use area, Baldwin added, is limited to Roane Street, and does not impact any residential areas. 

“It’s a small area on Roane Street (encompassing the United Dairy property), and it’s restricted to just the street and the commercial (property),” Baldwin noted. “It does not affect any residential property whatsoever. We have to do this by law to provide notice to our citizens.” 

While the prohibition is not expected to impact residential properties, Baldwin further noted that it will impact the United Dairy property.

“They’re going to have a requirement and be put on covenants and restrictions for anything going forward,” Baldwin said. “They were placed on notice during the initial transfer that this was possible and these tanks existed, so this has all been done above board.”

According to Council Member Jeanine Faegre, 11 households in the vicinity of the United Dairy’s West Side facility have filed what she referred to as “nuisance suits” against the regional dairy processor, ranging from noise complaints to reports of air pollution. 

“Is this [restriction] going to benefit Hexion or United Dairy, or is it going to benefit the folks that live in and around that area?” Faegre asked.

“This [ … ] is to declare that we have a ground resource restriction on the groundwater in this area,” Baldwin replied. “It’s going to benefit everyone to know that this is present.”

“It’s a declaration that is required by DEP,” Baldwin added. “We don’t have a choice, we have to make it.”

Concerned residents wishing to learn more about the West Side’s restricted use area are encouraged to contact the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, at 304-926-0440.