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HENRY W. ASBILL TIMOTHY D. JUNKIN* MATTHEW L. MYERS SAMUEL J. BUFFONE L. BARRETT BOSS TERRANCE G. REED •ALSO ADMITTED IN MO. »ADMITTED IN VA. ASBILL, JUNKIN, MYERS &. BUFFONE CHARTERED ATTORNEYS AT LAW 1607 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVENUE, N.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20009-2562 202-234-9000 FAX: 202-332-«480 March 2, 1988 COUNSEL WILLIAM B. MOH-11 1 + VIRGINIA OFFICE 655 SOUTH WASHINGTON STREET ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314 MARYLAND OFFICE 11011 OLEN ROAD POTOMAC. MD 20654 Ms. Carolyn Kwan Cite Compliance Branch United States Environmental Protection Agency 26 Federal Plaza Room 747 New York, New York 10278 RE: Request for Information from the Environmental Protection Agency to Jim Tillett dated January 11, 1988 Regarding Release of Hazardous Substances in the Tutu Area of St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands Dear Ms. Kwan: In response to your January 11, 1988 request, concerning which we received a 30 day extension from Andrew Praschak, we will attempt to answer your questions. We have researched our records and are attempting herein to answer each and every question to the best of our ability fully and completely. 1. Drawing to follow. 2. Answer: The septic tanks were installed between 1959 and 1965. There are no known existing design plans as they were constructed by local laborers and contractors under the supervision of Mr. Tillett. There are no known existing maintenance records. The septic tanks were taken out of service when we were connected to the public sewer system in 1977. We are not aware of any waste streams to the tanks. Presently all waste streams are connected to the main public sewer system. 'TUT OO4 0034 *64498* 64498 3. Answer: Jim Tillett, Incorporated uses water-based colors in the textile operations at 126 Anna's Retreat and disposes of the excess in the manner recommended by the manufacturer. The color that remains in the silk screen after it has been used is scraped out and re-used. The minimum amount of color remaining in the screen is washed out with water and drains into a trough containing sand. This allows the water to evaporate and the color to absorb into the sand. The sand is then removed by truck and transferred to the land fill in Bovoni, St. Thomas. This is the only outfall or discharge that occurs on the Tillett property of which we are aware, other than discharge connected to the public sewer system which are exclusively sewage pipes running from the toilets in the Tillett home and outbuildings. 4. Answer: Not applicable. 5. Answer: None of which the Tilletts are aware of. 6. Answer: As far as we are aware, we are not handling any hazardous or regulated substances. We use water-based paints in our textile operations which combine with two products provided by Norton Thiacol, Incorporated, to wit: concentrate No. 475 and polybonder No. 359. We recently requested information concerning these two products which we received from Norton Thiacol. We have enclosed a copy of that report for your information. 7. Answer: (a) Jim Tillett, Incorporated. (b) The current legal name as far as we know is the address of 126 Anna's Retreat, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. (c) Jim Tillett, Incorporated produces silk screen products sold as art and textile products used for dresses, clothing, and other resort wear apparel. (d) The family business has been in operation for approximately 28 years. (e) The President of the company is Jim Tillett and the Chairman of the Board of the company is Jim Tillett, Rhoda Tillett is the Secretary, Eric Tillett is the Treasurer, and Boris Tillett is the Vice President, all presently residing at the above-listed address. The business is incorporated in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and the agent for service of process is George Hubschman. There are no underground storage tanks on the property or owned or operated by the business. (g) Not applicable. TUT' 004 0035 8. Answer: Not applicable. 9. Answer: None. 10. Answer: We specifically have never handled any of the hazardous wastes specified in question no. 10 and to our knowledge have never handled any hazardous substances or hazardous wastes. 11. Answer: (a) None that we are aware of. (b) None that we are aware of. (c) None that we are aware of. 12. Answer: Not applicable. 13. Answer: No such agreement exists. 14. Answer: None. 15. Answer: The Tillett family have contacted the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources and indicated to them previously their belief that their water well has been polluted due to the leaking of gasoline products and other hazardous substances from underground tanks owned by Texaco Caribbean, Incorporated located on a Texaco service station in Tutu, St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands. The Tilletts have also indicated to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Planning and Resources their suspicion that other entities in the Tutu area have been leaking hazardous substances, including an Esso service station located in the Tutu area. Consolidated Auto Parts located in the Tutu area, Ramsey Motors located in the Tutu area, and 0'Henry Dry Cleaners located in the Tutu area. We have made and will continue to make every effort to cooperate with your investigation of the contamination of the Tutu aquifer. Timothy /D. Junki TDJ/ro TUT O04 0036 cc: Ms. Francine Lang Department of Planning and Natural Resources 179 Altona and Welgunst St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802 Mr. Andrew Praschak, Esquire Mr. Jose Font United States Environmental Protection Agency Caribbean Field Office Office 2-A Podiatry Center Building 1413 Fernandaz Juncos Avenue Santurche, Puerto Rico 00907 TUT OO4 00'.'.