Bound Brook Cleanup Includes Dredging

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has came up with the final cleanup plan for removal of PCBs from Bound Brook in South Plainfield, NJ.

“This multi-million dollar cleanup will help restore the environment and protect public health in South Plainfield, NJ,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. “This toxic legacy is on its way to being addressed.”

The estimated cost of the cleanup under this plan for the fourth phase is $242 million. To date, the EPA’s cleanup costs for this site exceed $180 million. Over $43 million has been recovered from parties liable for the site thus far, and additional funds will be recovered under the terms of existing settlements.

The final cleanup plan requires dredging an estimated 134,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment in Bound Brook located mainly between the Cornell Dubilier property and New Market Pond (including the pond). Dredged areas will then be restored. The plan also requires excavating an estimated 150,000 cubic yards of contaminated floodplain soil located downstream of the former facility property.

In addition, the final plan includes excavating an area next to the former Cornell-Dubilier facility where buried PCB-contaminated capacitors are located. All capacitor waste will be excavated and disposed of at a facility licensed to receive the waste.

Finally, the plan addresses the area of the groundwater deferred from a previous phase of the cleanup. EPA is requiring a system to contain contaminated groundwater that discharges from the former Cornell-Dubilier facility and prevent it from releasing into the Bound Brook.

The EPA will conduct a review every five years to ensure the effectiveness of the cleanup.

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