State agencies investigating fuel contamination at Atkins store; county to monitor and install new well

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is leading an investigation after state testing found gasoline compounds, including benzene, in the well at the Atkins store, a county official said.

Chief Jimmy Johnson told the Charles City County Board that DEQ discovered evidence of the leak in June following reports of fuel odors in water supplies. Testing identified levels of gasoline compounds in the store well that exceeded safe levels set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; in response, the Virginia Department of Health issued a do-not-drink notice that was escalated to a do-not-use order and the store's old well was shut down.

Chief Johnson said Richmond Environmental Group completed an initial abatement and site-characterization report and that DEQ and the consultant agreed additional investigation is needed to delineate contaminated groundwater. DEQ is conducting weekly monitoring visits, the consultant has scheduled excavation and removal of a petroleum-contaminated septic/drain field, and VDH has identified a location on the Atkins store property for a new drinking water well. The new well location is marked pending permitting by the soil consultant.

Chief Johnson recommended, and the board accepted, continued coordination with DEQ and VDH, continued sampling of potentially at-risk off-site wells, and follow-up at the county level as permitting and remediation proceed.

What happens next: DEQ monitoring and further delineation work continues. The county and property owners will coordinate permitting for a replacement well and possible excavation of contaminated material; staff emphasized that additional investigation is needed before remedial actions are complete.