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Groundwater

The Former Manufacturing Plant (FMP) Groundwater project unit will address groundwater contamination associated with the former manufacturing plant operations. Groundwater investigations began at the FMP in the early 1990s.  A comprehensive site-wide groundwater investigation and sampling program has been conducted, first under the direction of the NJDEP and, later, with EPA oversight.

The Groundwater Remedial Investigation (RI) included these significant activities:

  • Groundwater sampling and water level measurements;
  • Aquifer testing;
  • Downhole natural gamma surveys;
  • Shallow and intermediate groundwater screening;
  • Survey of groundwater/surface water interactions; and,
  • Evaluation of biodegradation of light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) constituents in groundwater.

While the groundwater investigations were progressing, a number of interim remedial measures were implemented to address groundwater contamination. A removal action was conducted in 1979 to remove sludge material and contaminated soil from the former lagoon area. In November 1997, Sherwin-Williams installed a Free Product Recovery system in the area of One Foster Avenue and United States Avenue. Remediation activities were performed at the Route 561 Dump Site and the United States Avenue Burn Site which were designed to improve groundwater quality

Sherwin-Williams completed, and EPA approved, a comprehensive Groundwater RI report presenting the results of groundwater investigation and sampling activities, as well as previous groundwater-related interim measures. Sherwin-Williams also completed a Feasibility Study which evaluated current groundwater conditions, expected improvements following the wide-scale soil remediation currently underway, and potential alternatives for addressing the remaining groundwater conditions at the FMP.

EPA released a Proposed Remedial Action Plan (PRAP) to address groundwater contamination in the vicinity of the Former Manufacturing Plant (FMP) on July 27, 2025. Following the public comment period, EPA released a Record of Decision finalizing the groundwater remedy on September 30, 2025.