&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5502G)
EPA520-F-92-011
Fall 1992
Superfund At Work
Hazardous Waste Cleanup Efforts Nationwide
Site Profile
Site Description:
Hazardous waste dump in rural
Hillsborough Township, New Jersey
Site Size: 1 acre
Primary Contaminants:
Volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), pesticides, and
polychlorinated biphenyts (PCBs)
Potential Range of Health Risks
Without EPA Cleanup:
Skin irritation; increased risk of
cancer
Nearby Population:
1,200 within one mile
Ecological Concerns:
Rarttan River
Year Listed on NPL: 1982
Year Deleted from NPL: 1989
EPA Region: II
State: New Jersey
Congressional District: 12
Five Years of Uncontrolled Dumping
The Krysowaty Farm site had hazardous material strewn over a one-acre
area of a ravine. Tires, demolition debris, and many corroded drums of
paint, pesticides and dye wastes were illegally dumped.
Success In Brief
Krysowaty Farm.. .Cleaned Up
The one-acre dump at Krysowaty Farm was small in size compared
to some other Superfund sites. But five years of dumping proved to be
a challenge when designing an appropriate cleanup. Nevertheless, the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) quickly and efficiently
alleviated immediate and potential dangers to the community of
Hillsborough, New Jersey. In less than five months, Superfund staff:
• Worked closely with community members and Hillsborough
Township officials to ensure an effective solution;
• Funded a permanent alternate water supply for residents
threatened by contaminated well water; and
• Completed a permanent cleanup of hazardous wastes at the site.
Krysowaty Farm is a good example of how an active community,
coupled with EPA responsiveness and expertise, can eliminate the
dangers posed by the unauthorized dumping of hazardous substances.
The Site Today
Krysowaty Farm was once considered one of the worst uncon-
trolled hazardous waste sites in the United States. It was deleted from
the National Priorities List (NPL)
in 1989, after all known contami-
nants were removed. The cleanup
effort meets established safety
standards and no further actions
are required at the site. A local
health official said, "(I) couldn't
be more pleased" with the
"state-of-the-art" cleanup of
Krysowaty Farm.
Superfund financed and con-
ducted the site cleanup because
the owner of the Krysowaty
property was deceased, and the
identity of other contributing
parties was unknown.
Region 5, Library (PL-12J)
77 West Jackson Boulevard, 12th Floor
Chicago, IL 60604-3590
-------
Superfund At Work
Krysowaty Farm, Hillsborough, NJ
Fall 1992
A Site Snapshot
Krysowaty Farm was a one-
acre hazardous waste dump in
Hillsborough Township, N.J.
Five hundred drums of paint,
dye wastes,
and pesticides :«;;
were r, .^..^ ,„
dumped, f ^ _t
crushed, and " s'
buried in a v"' '">s>7
ravine on the L'''!- s
42-acre prop-
erty, contami- *v> ^ *x '
nating 13,700 cubic yards
of soil.
The pulverized drums
released volatile organic
compounds (VOCs), and
polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs) which contaminated
the ground water, soil, and
environs.
In addition to drums,
other wastes disposed on
this property included demoli-
tion debris, tires, automobiles,
bulk wastes, solvents, and
waste sludge.
The site gained recognition
because of its negative impact
on nearby
drinking wells
and the threat
of migrating
contamination
from the site
to the south
branch of the
Raritan River.
Potential health effects from
direct contact with these pollut-
ants and/or consumption of
contaminated ground water
range from skin irritation to an
increased risk of cancer.
Krysowaty Farm is located
in a rural area with approxi-
mately 1,200 people living
within a one-mile radius; the
closest inhabitants reside 900
feet from the farm.
Hazardous Wast
EPA Responds to Dangers of
Contaminated Ground Water
Between 1965 and 1970, a on<
acre portion of Krysowaty Farn
was used as an unauthorized
dump site for hazardous materi
Starting in 1977, medical com-
plaints were registered with the
Hillsborough Township Health
Department. It was not until 19
that the New Jersey Departmen
Environmental Protection (NJD
became aware of the site and
conducted an investigation whi
revealed VOCs in the ground
water. Superfund was enacted
1980, and, in 1982, the site was
proposed for listing on the NPL
EPA also investigated local claii
of skin rashes and miscarriages
allegedly due to ground water
contamination; however, no sci
Krysowaty Farm
Timeline
Hazardous wastes
improperly dumped
1965
Hillsborough Township provides bottled water <
Site included on National Priorities List
Superfund legislation enacted
1
New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection
investigates site
1970
1979 1980
Page 2
-------
Superfund At Work • Krysowaty Farm, Hillsborough, NJ • Fall 1992
Dumped In Kiysowaty Farm Ravine
tine data was found to substantiate
these claims. Hillsborough Town-
ship provided bottled water to
affected residents in 1982 as a
temporary measure
while EPA and
NJDEP conducted
joint site investiga-
tions to verify
Krysowaty Farm
Hillsborough Township, NJ
whether the site should be
on the final NPL. The
findings of the site
investigation led to
Krysowaty Farm being
included on the final NPL in
December 1982.
In addition to the cleanup of
the contaminated soil, a permanent
alternate water supply system
servicing 29 homes was installed in
1985, further reducing the threat to
the community.
Hillsborough Township's
financial burden was eased
when the Elizabefhtown
Water Company con-
tributed part of the
funds needed for the
alternate water supply.
Krysowaty Contami-
nants Removed, Site
Restored
Developing a cleanup
plan for Krysowaty Farm
proved to be a problematic
undertaking, as many of the
corroded drums needed to be
contained before removing them
from the site.
An accidental release of the con-
taminated materials from the
drums could have caused further
endangerment to the environment.
Consequently, EPA spent almost
one year examining alternatives
for the site before finalizing the
cleanup plan in July 1985.
EPA undertook a variety of
measures to ensure the safety of
nearby residents. In August 1985
cleanup teams began preparing
the area and the surrounding
community for permanent
cleanup activity. EPA fenced the
area surrounding the site to
protect trespassers from coming
into contact with the contamina-
tion while cleanup was ongoing.
EPA then chose the least-
traveled roads for the bucks
to use when transporting the
hazardous substances. Maps
of these routes were distributed
to the community in advance,
informing them of the exact
r
Site investigation completed
Public meetings held
j> « Cleanup design completed; work begins
^ • Permanent alternate water supply installed
Cleanup activities successfully completed
All drums and visibly contaminated soil removed
Area covered with fresh soil, reseeded
\>
Site deleted from
National Priorities List
Site monitored to ensure safety
1984
1985
1986
1987
1989
1992
Page 3
-------
Superfund At Work
Krysowaty Farm, Hillsborough, NJ
Fall 1992
times the shipments of con-
taminated material would
take place. EPA teams then
removed and transported
13,700 cubic yards of contami-
nated soil and wastes to an
approved hazardous waste
disposal facility. The excavated
area was filled with dean soil
and seeded for grass.
By January 1986, fences were
removed to signify the successful
completion of site cleanup efforts.
EPA conducted air monitoring
tests throughout the cleanup to
ensure the safety of the commu-
nity. In 1989, Krysowaty Farm
was deleted from the NPL.
NJDEP continues to ensure the
effectiveness of cleanup activities
by monitoring the ground water
semi-annually through 1992.
One Scoop At ATlme As heavy construction equipment removes contaminated
soil at the Krysowaty Farm site, progress is made one scoop at a time. EPA
cleanup teams removed and transported 13,700 cubic yards of contaminated soil
and wastes from the site, placing them in an approved hazaretous waste facility.
The excavated area was led with clean soil, then reseeded for grass.
EPA
Continues
To Protect
Citizens
After
Cleanup
Is Complete
The Superfund program not
only contributes to the successful
cleanup of existing hazardous
waste sites, but ensures that mea-
sures are taken to prevent future
endangerment to the environment.
To that end, EPA obtained a deed
restriction for Krysowaty Farm
prohibiting the installation of drink-
ing wells and future development
of the portion of the property where
the cleanup occurred.
Although this site is considered
clean, these precautionary measures
were taken to ensure the future
protection of the residents from any
previously undetectable or residual
contamination.
Page 4
-------
Superfund At Work
Krysowaty Farm, Hillsborough, NJ
Fall 1992
A Perspective of Scale Members of an EPA cleanup team, clothed in
protective gear, survey progress during the cleanup activities. The Krysowaty
Farm ravine was filled with 500 drums of hazardous waste, many of which
ruptured and leaked contamination into the surrounding area. Other debris and
rubble are visible in the photo's foreground.
Community and
State Contribute
to Cleanup
at Krysowaty
Farm Site
An essential component of a
successful Superfund program is
community participation in EPA
site activities. The dangers of
Krysowaty Farm were brought to
EPA's attention through the
persistent efforts of Hillsborough
Township residents. Public
meetings held throughout the
process provided the community
with a mechanism for expressing
their concerns regarding the
Excavating the Contamination EPA teams removed and transported 13,700
cubic yards of contaminated soil and wastes from the Krysowaty Farm site. The
excavated area was then filled with new soil and reseeded.
cleanup. The Township and EPA
designed plans and undertook
cleanup activities based on input
from the citizens of Hillsborough.
The Township was also respon-
sive in acknowledging the
problem's severity, lowering
property taxes for 68 homes near
the hazardous waste dump.
EPA's Superfund program
financed the site cleanup because
the original landowner of the
Krysowaty property was
deceased, and other potential
continued on back page
Page 5
-------
Superfund At Work
Krysowaty Farm, Hillsborough, NJ
Fall 1992
Community and State
Contribute to Cleanup
continued from page 5
contributing polluters could not be found. A leader
for the Coalition for Clean Water underscored the
benefit of positive, coordinated efforts like those at
Krysowaty Farm: "I believe you can change any-
thing if you work at it," she said.
Residents, township officials, and EPA certainly
did work at it, and their efforts yielded impressive
results: The threat of contamination has been abated and
the Krysowaty Farm property has been largely restored.
If you wish to be added to our mailing list or to comment
on this bulletin's content, length or format,
please call (703) 603-8984
or send a letter to Superfund At Work (5502G),
401 M Street SW, Washington, DC 20460.
Success at
Krysowaty Farm
The cleanup of Krysowaty Farm dearly
demonstrates Superfund's commitment to
cleanup the nation's most dangerous hazard-
ous waste sites. Superfund provided Hills-
horough residents with the financing and
expertise needed to alleviate the threat to
their community.
The fear of contamination of well water
has subsided and neighboring properties
have returned to full market value. With
the dangers and repercussions of site con-
tamination eliminated, residents can share
in the comments of a local real estate agent
who said, "The fear of this property is
completely gone."
For additional copies of this or other Superfund At Work updates, contact the National Technical Information Service,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, telephone (703) 487-4650.
8-EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
5502G
Washington, D.C. 20460
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
First Class Mail
Postage and Fees Paid
EPA
Permit No. G-35
& Printed on recycled paper
------- |