EPA proposes $3.4M cleanup plan for New Jersey Superfund site

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a cleanup plan to address groundwater and mine water contamination at the Ringwood Mines/Landfill Superfund site in Ringwood, New Jersey. The site, which was once used to dispose of waste materials from Ford’s automobile assembly plant in Mahwah, New Jersey, was restored to the Superfund list in 2006 because of additional contaminated materials being discovered.

The EPA’s proposed plan would address contaminants in groundwater at the site by providing for the installation of wells near the Peters Mine Pit and Peters Mine Pit Airshaft, perpendicular to the direction of groundwater flow, to introduce an oxygen-releasing compound into the aquifer to enhance the breakdown of contaminants.

“EPA has been closely engaged with the community through public information sessions and the community advisory group meetings. These critical engagements with community stakeholders have provided EPA with significant insight into the concerns of the local community, which will be considered by EPA as we work to select a final remedy for the site,” says Pete Lopez, EPA regional administrator. “While EPA believes this remedy is the best in terms of being protective and feasible, we seek and welcome input from impacted communities throughout the Superfund cleanup process, and I encourage people to give us input on this proposed plan.”

To treat mine water contaminants in the Peters Mine Pit Airshaft, the EPA has proposed to add granular activated carbon and resin to the airshaft.

With these combined actions, the EPA says it expects to address an ongoing source of groundwater contamination and help the aquifer to recover. This plan provides for long-term groundwater and surface water monitoring to ensure the protection of drinking water resources.

Throughout the cleanup, the EPA says it will monitor the progress and, after the remedy has been fully implemented, conduct a review of the cleanup at least every five years to ensure its effectiveness. Under the proposed plan, the estimated cost of cleanup is approximately $3.4 million.