Combe Fill South Landfill

Overview

Combe Fill South Landfill sits in Chester and Washington Townships, Morris County, New Jersey. It operated as a municipal landfill from the 1940s until 1981, accepting domestic waste, industrial waste, sewage sludge, septic tank waste, chemicals, and waste oils. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) placed it on the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1983. The NPL is the federal list of contaminated sites that qualify for long-term cleanup under the Superfund program. About 170 residents live within half a mile of the site, and most rely on private wells for drinking water. Trout Brook, used for fishing and recreation, runs nearby.

Groundwater is the most widespread concern. EPA has identified 43 contaminants of concern across groundwater, soil, and leachate. The most significant are 1,4-dioxane and benzene, along with other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene, chlorinated solvents, and metals including arsenic, lead, chromium, and nickel. Groundwater continues to exceed drinking water standards in both monitored areas of the site. Contamination migration is not yet under control, meaning the movement of contaminants has not been stabilized.

Cleanup is organized into two main areas. For the main landfill area, called Operable Unit 1 (OU1), a clay cap was installed and a groundwater extraction and treatment system was completed by 1997. EPA later amended the remedy in 2018 to address 1,4-dioxane specifically. Construction of a new groundwater treatment facility began in May 2023 and was substantially completed in April 2025. EPA will operate it through April 2026, then transfer operations to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). A solar array was also completed on the landfill cap in spring 2025. For the downgradient area, called Operable Unit 2 (OU2), EPA selected long-term monitoring and institutional controls while it evaluates how well the OU1 upgrades perform. A water line was installed to protect well users from contaminated groundwater. EPA has determined that human exposure is currently under control, meaning no unacceptable exposure pathways exist right now.

Zoning restrictions prevent incompatible land uses such as residential development, and a perimeter fence limits unauthorized access. Full completion of remedial actions for both operable units is estimated between July and September 2026. A five-year review is estimated between May and July 2028.

Community members with questions can contact the Community Involvement Coordinator. Site documents are available for review at the EPA Superfund Records Center at 290 Broadway, 18th floor, New York City, or at Chester Library at 250 West Main Street in Chester, New Jersey.