Adkins Store Petroleum Release

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This webpage is dedicated to information regarding the Adkins Store petroleum release at 9900 S Lott Cary Rd. in Charles City County. DEQ was notified of a possible release and fuel vapors in the water supply well through an anonymous report. During the inspection of the Adkins Store's underground gas storage tanks, a significant fuel leak was identified. The resulting investigation revealed that nearby groundwater and the gas station's water well was contaminated by the spill. DEQ, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), Charles City County, and multiple contractors are working to clean up the leak and address any potential health concerns.

On January 8, 2025, DEQ issued a draft Consent Special Order to Lott Cary, LLC for alleged violation of the Virginia State Water Control Law at Adkins Store. A description of the proposed action is available here. DEQ will accept comments by e-mail at cara.witte@deq.virginia.gov or postal mail at DEQ, Piedmont Regional Office (Enforcement), 4949-A Cox Road, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 from January 8, 2025 through February 7, 2025.

Adkins Store

Were drinking water wells impacted?

Petroleum was detected in the supply well that serves the gas station. As of July 8, all drinking water wells within 1,000 feet of the station had been sampled, and none of these samples showed petroleum contamination above the detection limit of one part per billion. A map of the gas station is shown below. The inset image shows the 1,000 foot area around the station where drinking water wells were tested.

Adkins Store location

What is the source of the leak?

How long has the fuel been leaking?

If I have been drinking contaminated water, what do I need to do?

If you have been drinking contaminated water and are feeling sick, seek medical care and contact the Chickahominy Health District Reach Line at (804) 365-3240. Anyone suspected of repeatedly ingesting contaminated water should follow-up with their primary care doctor, who can decide if laboratory testing is needed. The treatment consists of stopping the exposure, and if any toxicity has occurred, it is expected to improve once the exposure stops. For more information, please consult with your doctor.

How was the leak discovered?

How much fuel has leaked out?

How did the fuel leak out?

How was this leak missed?

How is the severity of the leak and health risks determined?

A soil and groundwater investigation is currently underway along with sampling of residential supply wells. The risks associated with this type of release are ingestion through drinking contaminated well water and inhalation of petroleum vapors from contaminated well water and from the subsurface of the station building.

Five groundwater monitoring wells have been installed around the perimeter of the site. Groundwater elevations were measured on July 9, 2024, to determine flow direction. Groundwater samples were also collected July 9 and submitted for analysis of petroleum compounds.

What are the contaminants in the well water?

What can be done for contaminated water wells?

What are the potential health risks associated with exposure to gasoline contaminated water?

Acute (short-term) exposure to gasoline can cause upset stomach (nausea and/or vomiting) and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. Significantly high exposures can also result in central nervous system symptoms (tiredness, dizziness, headache, loss of coordination). These acute effects resolve when exposure to the chemicals stops. Swallowing gasoline commonly occurs when siphoning, and the gasoline mostly remains in the GI tract and is excreted in stool. Ingesting gasoline only leads to acute poisoning requiring medical attention when the gasoline gets directly into the lungs.

Chronic (prolonged, repeated) exposures to chemicals in gasoline can result in toxic effects to the kidneys, liver and blood systems. Long-term daily exposure to high levels of benzene (from repeated workplace exposures) can lead to leukemia and cancers of the blood-forming organs. Well water with levels of chemicals high enough to cause toxic effects would most likely be detected via taste or smell, limiting exposure to non-dangerous levels. Anyone suspected of repeatedly ingesting contaminated water should follow-up with their primary care doctor, who can decide if laboratory testing is needed. The treatment consists of stopping the exposure, and if any toxicity has occurred, it is expected to improve once the exposure stops.

How long will this take to clean up?

When will DEQ sample my well?

DEQ has requested water samples from all residential wells within 1,000 feet of the station. As of July 8, 2024, petroleum compounds were not detected in any of those samples. DEQ may request samples from additional residential wells, based on the extent of contamination, movement of groundwater, and other site conditions. You will be contacted directly by Adkins Store's environmental consultant, Todd Reyher of Richmond Environmental Group, if DEQ requests samples from your well.

Who will pay for replacing my well?

Virginia DEQ

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Adkins Store Petroleum Release