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EPA Proposes Inactive Landfill in Atlantic County, New Jersey To The Superfund National Priorities List

Release Date: 04/22/1999
Contact Information: Berry Shore (212) 637-3650 / [email protected]

(#99056) NEW YORK, N.Y. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to add an inactive septic and sewage sludge waste disposal facility in a rural residential area of Galloway Township, New Jersey to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL), the federal list of the nation's worst hazardous sites. Hazardous substances from the Emmells Septic Landfill site, which ceased operations in 1979, have contaminated private drinking water wells in the area. Based on the Atlantic County Health Department's recommendation, those wells were closed and deeper replacement water supply wells were drilled at the affected residences. EPA completed an investigation of the Emmell's property in 1998, which included the installation of monitoring wells and the collection of soil borings and groundwater samples that documented soil and groundwater contamination.

EPA periodically proposes sites to the NPL and designates proposed sites as final. Sites that are placed on the final NPL are eligible for long-term "remedial action" or cleanups financed under the Superfund Trust Fund. Proposed sites can be investigated further to determine the extent of the risks they may pose to human health and the environment. "The proposed listing of the Emmells Septic Landfill site means that EPA can begin a comprehensive evaluation of the contamination there and develop long-term, permanent solutions to restore the quality of the community's drinking water source,"according to EPA Regional Administrator Jeanne M. Fox. "While our intention is to have those responsible for causing the contamination pay for an investigation into the extent and nature of the problem, the proposed listing will ensure available Superfund money to pay for this work."

The following is a detailed description of the site:

The Emmells Septic Landfill site covers 38 acres and is bordered by Zurich Avenue to the north and woodlands to the south, east and west. The site has a vacant, fire-damaged, one story building and a garage. An April 1975 solid waste facility permit issued to Emmell's indicated that the site was to be used for the land application of septic and sewage sludge wastes. Violations of the permit noted that septic and sewage sludge wastes were being disposed of in trenches and lagoons. In addition to the permitted waste disposal operation, inspections at the site by state officials noted the presence of household garbage, tire piles, paint sludges, gas cylinders and construction/industrial wastes on the site.

From 1984 to 1988, the Atlantic County Health Department collected groundwater samples from private residential drinking water supply wells in the vicinity of the site that showed the presence of organic hazardous substances. The contaminated drinking water wells were closed and deeper water supply replacement wells were drilled. In 1996, ground water investigations were conducted at the site by both Galloway Township and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), confirming that organic hazardous substances were being released into the groundwater.

With the addition of this site, there are 110 federal Superfund NPL sites in New Jersey.

The NPL rule, which officially proposes the site listing, will be published tomorrow in the Federal Register. For members of the public interested in obtaining copies of the notice, an updated NPL list or site description, please contact the RCRA/Superfund Hotline at 1-800-424-9346 or 703-412-9810. Further information about the site and the Superfund program can also be obtained from EPA's homepage: www.epa.gov.superfund.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Reporters should contact Rich Cahill for the above information.

For more information contact:
Berry Shore, Intergovernmental Affairs Branch
EPA Region 2
290 Broadway
NY, NY 10007-1866
Voice: 212-637-3650 FAX: 212-637-3561 E-Mail: [email protected]