nr\nnr\KiA r\ a i/o EPA REGION 2 POMONA OAKS congressional dist. 02 RESIDENTIAL WELLS Galloway Township NEW JERSEY EPA ID# NJD980769350 Site Description The Pomona Oaks subdivision consists of about 200 single-family homes in a rural residential area of Galloway Township. The residential lots range in size from 1/4 to 1/2 acre. Each house had their own private well which was 50 to 60 feet deep. Initially, nearly all of the 200 homes in the residential area relied upon private wells as the sole source of drinking water. In 1982, residents complained to the State about a foul taste and odor in their drinking water. Subsequent sampling showed the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the water, which resulted in bottled water being provided to some of the area residents. By 1985, all Pomona Oaks subdivision residences were connected to the nearby Absecon water supply. A new primary water well for the community was designed and constructed by the State and is now in use. Existing wells at the site have been sealed. Approximately 8,000 people live within 3 miles of the site. Site Responsibility: This site is being addressed through Federal and State actions. NPL LISTING HISTORY Proposed Date: 10/01/84 Final Date: 06/01/86 1 April 2002 ------- Threats and Contaminants Z5> Testing for a variety of indoor air contaminants detected the presence of the VOCs benzene and xylenes, as well as aromatics. The groundwater is contaminated with VOCs. Actions taken in 1984 and 1989 to replace private wells with a public water supply and the installation of a new drinking water well have eliminated any health threat from contaminated groundwater. Cleanup Approach The site is being addressed in two stages: immediate actions and a long-term remedial phase focusing on cleanup of the groundwater. Response Action Status Immediate Actions: In 1985, the EPA began providing bottled water to area residents. The local water supplier, New Jersey Water Company, extended water lines and the distribution system in 1985 to serve the affected homes. Existing wells have been sealed. A new primary water well for the community was designed by the State, and construction was completed in 1988. The well was put in service in August 1989. Groundwater: The EPA began a study into the nature and extent of air and groundwater contamination at the site in 1986. A report detailing the study results was finalized in 1990. It was determined that no further action was necessary at this site because contamination levels have fallen below levels requiring cleanup, and nearby residents have been provided with safe drinking water. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is overseeing groundwater monitoring and conducting sampling downgradient of the site to ensure there is no threat to the public or the environment. In February 1992, EPA's Environmental Response Team sampled groundwater from monitoring wells on site and downgradient. No significant contamination was found above maximum contaminant levels. A Close Out Report, the first step in the NPL site deletion process, was signed by the Regional Administrator in September, 1992. A Notice of Intent to Delete was published in the Federal Register in August 1996. The final deletion notice was published on May 7, 1998. Environmental Progress By providing an alternate safe drinking water source to the residents of the Pomona Oaks subdivision, the possibility of exposure to polluted water was virtually eliminated. The investigations into the extent of the contamination have been completed, and it was determined that the site no longer poses a threat to the surrounding community or the environment. The EPA will continue to monitor conditions at the site and will report the results to the public. April 2002 2 POMONA OAKS RESIDENTIAL WELLS ------- Site Repositories Atlantic County Public Library, Galloway Township Branch, 30 W. Jimmie Leeds Rd. Pomona, New Jersey 08240 Galloway Township Municipal Building, 300 East Jimmie Leeds Rd., Pomona, N.J. 08201 POMONA OAKS RESIDENTIAL WELLS 3 April 2002 ------- |