Yorktown refinery question (Williamsburg, Gloucester Point: home, organic, live in)

[nbeck]

I am looking for a home in the Williamsburg/Yorktown area. I would like to know if the Yorktown refinery causes any problems (odors, pollution, etc.) for homeowners southwest of the refinery (Zip: 23692). I would like to move to the York HS area but the proximity to the refinery concerns me a bit. Thanks for any advice!

[Ibginnie]

I lived in Gloucester Point across the York River from Yorktown for 15 years. I lived right on the river and I will tell you that I NEVER smelled the refinery. That are is due north of the refinery. I have many friends that live in Yorktown, Grafton and Seaford and they report that there has never been any issue with the refinery with regard to odors/ You can search the internet for "Amoco refinery" +yorktown and find reports on pollution such as:

"The report summarizes the surface water sampling program at the Amoco Refinery at Yorktown, Virginia.^This was undertaken as a part of the joint project between Amoco Corporation and the United States Environmental Protection Agency to review pollution prevention alternatives at a petroleum refinery.^The surface water data provides a snapshot of surface water pollutant generation and discharge from the refinery.^Different process units contribute to the total wastewater flow of 460 GPM in the refinery.^Water in the ditch system, which is non-process water, is free of organic contamination.^Oil and grease, phenols, ammonia and sulfides are the significant components measured in the process wastewater.^The concentrations of organics in most water streams leaving the individual process units are relatively low, in the 1-5 parts per million (ppm) range.^A few individual streams such as the crude desalter brine and tank water draws have high pollutant loadings.^Concentrations of metals in the refinery wastewater are very low.^The wastewater treatment plant is very effective in reducing the pollutant loading in the water with overall removal efficiencies greater than 99% for most organics and inorganics."

Energy Citations Database (ECD) - - Document #6489656

Overall I think that you will like it there and have no problems.

[nbeck]

Ibginnie,

Thank you for the reply. I had not heard of anything bad there, but when I started looking at the area on google earth, the refinery sure sticks out. It is difficult trying to look at that from overseas!

Thanks again.

[sdelosrios]

My parents live in Seaford and don't have any problems with odors etc

[jacerides]

It's hard to believe that alot of the population still thinks that Refineries in the U.S. are such polluters. The government has such stringent epa, AQMD, CARB and other state local agency laws nowadays that these places are usually cleaner than the car you drive.

[Mr Williamsburg]

We live in Williamsburg and sail out of a marina very close to the refinery in York County. I have to say I have never noticed any aroma from it on any of our voyages that passed right by it. The previous marina we used was right next door to it !