EPA Invites Public Comment On Cleanup Of Superfund Site In Doylestown

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, May 31 to gather input from the public on its plans to cleanup the Chem-Fab Superfund site on North Broad Street.

From the mid-1960s to the late 1970s Chem Fab, Inc. operated an electroplating and metal etching facility at 300-360 North Broad, which stored and disposed of processing chemicals on-site.

As a result, the EPA said groundwater underlying the site was contaminated with metals, volatile organic compounds and per-and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS). The chemicals in the groundwater are commonly found in solvents and degreasers and associated with electroplating operations. Volatile organic compounds were also previously detected in two municipal and several residential wells.

The site was proposed for the National Priorities List (NPL) in September 2007 and added to the list in March 2008.

According to the EPA, the proposed cleanup plan will address contaminated soil gas, contaminated soil not addressed previously and contaminated sediment and surface water at the site.

EPA’s preferred alternative includes a combination of vapor mitigation, monitoring and institutional controls at a cost of $293,000; soil evacuation and off-site disposal at a cost of $7.1 million; and sediment evacuation, stabilization and off-site disposal at a cost of $567,000.

To read EPA's Proposed Plan for Interim Remedial Action, click here.

Earlier this month, the EPA announced the completion of a groundwater treatment system to expedite the cleanup. The system was paid for through a $2.9 million expenditure under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

“This historic funding boost from the BIL invests $3.5 billion in Superfund cleanups nationally, making a dramatic impact on EPA’s ability to address legacy pollution that threatens the health of communities across the country,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “By expediting these cleanups, we’re ensuring the protection of affected communities and moving these sites closer in the direction for potential redevelopment.”

The hybrid meeting on May 31 begins at 6 p.m. at the Doylestown Borough Hall. To join virtually, visit http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting. Enter the Meeting ID: 223 559 165 552 and the Passcode: GcncQX. To join via phone, call 202-991-0477 and enter the conference ID when prompted: 976 650 232#

The public is encouraged to review the proposed plan and submit comments to EPA through June 9. Comments may be submitted in three ways. Letters should be postmarked no later than June 9 and sent to U.S. EPA Region 3, attn: Huu Ngo, 1600 John F. Kennedy Boulevard (Mailcode: 3SD21)

Philadelphia 19103. They can be emailed to Ngo.Huu@epa.gov. And they can be left in a voicemail at 215-814-2007. Speak slowly and clearly and include name and phone number.

For more information visit https://www.epa.gov/superfund/chemfab