Pohatcong Valley Ground Water Contamination

Warren County, N.J.	

Site Description

In 1989, EPA added the Pohatcong Valley Groundwater Contamination site to the National Priorities List. The
site encompasses rural, suburban, urban and industrial areas spanning several different towns in Warren
County, N.J. The unifying feature is the Kittatinny Aquifer, which passes beneath the whole site. Several local
businesses (including American National Can) made use of toxic solvents for various commercial and
industrial tasks, and these liquids drained into the soil, where they contaminated the groundwater and spread
throughout portions of the aquifer. The aquifer serves as the sole source of drinking water for public water
systems and private parties in the area.

Current Site Status and Cleanup Actions to Date

•	In 2006, EPA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for Operable Unit (OU) 1, which addresses
treatment of contaminated groundwater in trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethene (PCE)
hot-spot areas through groundwater extraction and treatment with reinjection of treated effluent
back to the aquifer.

•	In 2007, additional groundwater samples were taken in the vicinity of two properties, which were
identified as potential source areas in the 2006 ROD, to assess their contribution to the PCE
portion of the groundwater plume.

•	In 2008, an additional groundwater monitoring well was installed to further characterize the PCE
migration pathway.

•	In 2009, two additional groundwater monitoring wells were installed at another potential source
area, later determined to be the main source of PCE contamination. Vapor intrusion sampling was
also conducted at and in the vicinity of the PCE source area.

•	In 2010, another round of groundwater samples was taken, and 26 soil borings were completed to
further characterize PCE contamination in the soil and groundwater.

•	In 2012, the 95 percent remedial design (RD) report was completed for the PCE portion of OU1
and is nearing 100 percent completion. The RD includes installation of extraction, monitoringand
reinjection wells along with construction of a pump and treat facility.

•	Although funding and completion of this project will result in environmental progress, it will not
eliminate all unacceptable human exposure pathways. Additional work will be needed to do so.

Unfunded Action

Fiscal Year 2012 work that was not funded included installation of a pump and treat groundwater system;
provision of an alternate water supply; and vapor intrusion sampling and mitigation, if necessary.

Current Funding Status

To date, EPA has spent approximately $413,000 on response construction work at the site.

For more information on this site, please read the Pohatcong Valley Ground Water site information on the
Region 2 Superfund web site.

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