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Cleanup Completed at Wampus Lane Site in Milford

Release Date: 03/13/2008
Contact Information: Jeanethe Falvey, 617.918.1020

(Boston, Mass. – March 13, 2008) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA ) recently completed the site cleanup of a contaminated drainage swale at 80 Wampus Lane in Milford, Connecticut with FCI USA Inc.

The month of December marked several accomplishments, including of the removal of over 500 tons of contaminated soil, the backfilling and re-grading of excavated areas with clean fill materials and topsoil, and the reseeding and surveying to confirm final elevation. When spring temperatures return, EPA will perform the final task of restoring vegetation to pre-cleanup status.

The contamination that had been on site was likely related to years of industrial activity on the property, where the manufacturing of electrical components and accessories took place from 1956 to 1999. Operations at the facility included rubber and plastic molding, screw machining, de-greasing and plating as well as waste water treatment. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEP) had previously overseen the remediation of two contaminated waste lagoons and a landfill on site.

The cleanup addressed contaminated surface soils in a 210 foot-long, man-made earthen drainage swale on the property. The swale reportedly received treated plating wastewater, which still contained harmful liquids, between 1965 and 1991. The contaminants of concern at the site include metals (beryllium and lead), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and oils. The cleanup process remains on schedule and within the estimated costs of approximately $360,000.

Throughout the cleanup EPA worked closely with the City of Milford’s Health Department, CTDEP, and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) to oversee site activities and ensure that the response was performed safely and in accordance with the EPA-approved cleanup plan. Fencing was installed around the site prior to any work beginning and a security service was hired to patrol the site during the weekends. The Milford Police Department helped by closely monitoring the area to prevent trespassing. A contingency plan for emergencies was developed with the Milford Fire Department, and the Milford Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) team regularly visited the site to monitor the ongoing cleanup progress.

The Wampus Lane property was owned since 1956 by the Burndy Corporation, which became Framatone Connectors USA in 1995 and ultimately FCI USA, Inc. In 1999 the property at 80 Wampus Lane was purchased by Wampus Milford Associates, LLC.

At the request of the CT DEP, EPA initiated a site investigation in December 2006 to investigate the soils along the drainage swale. After having determined that the contamination on site would present a threat to public health and the environment, EPA contacted the current and former property owners to provide them with an opportunity to assist in the cleanup efforts. Shortly thereafter FCI USA indicated willingness to cooperate with EPA in achieving cleanup of the drainage swale.

For more information on EPA’s Emergency Response Program as well as Superfund please visit: https://www.epa.gov/region1/superfund/er/index.htm