The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is still at work in December at the Pohatcong Valley Groundwater Contamination Superfund Site located on Park Avenue in Washington Borough near Route 31. The construction, which began in September continues to affect residents.
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March 19, 2015 at 2:17 PM
WASHINGTON BOROUGH--With the second phase of work underway on Park Avenue, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is inviting the public to two information sessions today regarding its construction at the Pohatcong Valley Groundwater Contamination Superfund Site.
During the sessions, residents will learn about the EPA's plans to install a groundwater pump and treatment system to address groundwater contaminated with trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene, according to a letter mailed to residents.
"There will be no formal presentation, just an opportunity to drop by any time between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. or between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to ask questions about the plan to construct the treatment system associated with the site's remedial activities," the letter states.
Some topics of discussion include the installation of the wells, temporary road closures and resident driveway access. Additionally, Washington Borough Council members and Mayor Scott McDonald this week that they would attend the meetings.
Since the construction began last fall, access to Park Avenue from Route 31 has been restricted with a detour through Youmans Avenue.
EPA Community Liaison Pat Seppi previously said that the final phase of the project will begin this summer. Once completed, the EPA will pave half of Park Avenue up to Pohatcong Street.
The EPA added the Pohatcong Valley Groundwater Contamination Superfund site in Washington, Franklin, and Greenwich townships to the Superfund National Priorities List in 1989.
The first area, known as Operable Unit 1 or OU1, includes a large area of groundwater contamination located in Washington Borough, and encompasses about 5,600 acres, the release states.
In January, the EPA announced at $92 million settlement with Pechiney Plastic Packaging, Inc., Albéa Americas, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Citigroup Inc. and Rexam Beverage Can Company to address the Superfund site.
Most of the residents of the area in Washington Borough receive drinking water from the a public water supply that meets drinking water standards, according to the EPA.
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