EPA Proposes Expanded Groundwater Treatment at NJ Superfund Site
The cleanup plan for the CPS/Madison Superfund site in Old Bridge, N.J., includes expanding the existing groundwater treatment system that is operating at the site, plus on-site treatment of contaminated soil that is a source of groundwater contamination.
EPA on April 24 proposed a cleanup plan for the CPS/Madison Superfund site in Old Bridge, N.J., a site where previous chemical manufacturing operations contaminated soil and groundwater with metals and VOCs, including 1,4-dioxane.The cleanup plan includes expanding the existing groundwater treatment system that is operating at the site, plus on-site treatment of contaminated soil that is a source of groundwater contamination.
The Superfund site includes two chemical and manufacturing facilities located on 35 acres. CPS Chemical plant operated until 2001. Madison Industries and a related business, Old Bridge Chemical, are still in operation.
"EPA is proposing several cleanup technologies to address the contaminated groundwater and remove contaminated source material at this site to help protect the health of this community," said EPA Regional Administrator Pete Lopez. "This proposal complements the work of our state partners and continues progress in addressing contamination at this site."
EPA is proposing to treat the contaminated soil using chemical oxidants, such as ozone and peroxide, which would be pumped into the soil as the soil is mixed with augers. The agency will require excavating and relocating approximately 900 cubic yards of soil contaminated with 1,4-dioxane to the treatment area to be treated by oxidation and mixed in with the other soil. Soil samples will be collected and analyzed after the cleanup to ensure the technology is effective.
To address contaminated groundwater, it would be treated by pumping an oxidant into the groundwater. A line of wells would create a reactive barrier that will destroy the organic chemicals as they flow through. Groundwater contaminated with metals that is leaving the Madison property would be treated through continued operation of the existing pumping wells, which bring the polluted groundwater to the surface, where it can be treated.
Part of the site is between the area of groundwater remediation and municipal drinking water wells located at Perth Amboy, N.J. Monitoring of drinking water will be performed under the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's direction.
EPA will host a public meeting May 8 to explain the proposed cleanup plan and other options considered and to take public comments. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Old Bridge Municipal Court, with comments accepted until May 24.
Written comments may be mailed or emailed to: John Osolin, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10007, email:osolin.john@epa.gov.