Goose Farm

Overview

From the mid-1940s to the mid-1970s, a manufacturer of polysulfide rubber and solid rocket fuel propellant dumped solid and liquid hazardous wastes into a pit at this 6.6-acre site in Plumstead Township, New Jersey. That disposal contaminated both soil and groundwater with hazardous chemicals. EPA added Goose Farm to the National Priorities List on September 8, 1983, and cleanup has been active for over four decades since.

Thirteen contaminants of concern have been identified at the site. Groundwater is affected by acrylonitrile, benzene, dichloromethane (also called methylene chloride), trans-1,2-dichloroethene, and trichloroethene. Soil contains Aroclor 1254 (a type of polychlorinated biphenyl), bis(2-chloroethoxy) methane, bis(2-chloroisopropyl) ether, dichloromethane, ethylbenzene, toluene, and trichloroethene. Dichloromethane and trichloroethene are present in both media.

Early cleanup began in December 1980 and removed about 5,000 containers of liquid waste and 3,500 tons of contaminated soil. Workers also treated 7.8 million gallons of groundwater over seven months. EPA selected a long-term remedy in 1985 focused on recovering and treating contaminated groundwater, flushing soil with treated water, and evaluating the need for a site cap. A slurry wall was installed to contain the contaminated groundwater area, and the groundwater treatment system started operating in June 1993. To date, the system has processed over 400 million gallons of contaminated water. Soil cleanup has been completed. EPA amended its cleanup decision on September 23, 2025, and final remedial design for groundwater is estimated for late 2026, with final remedial action expected to begin in late 2028.

EPA has completed six five-year reviews, most recently on July 17, 2023, each confirming the remedy remains protective of human health and the environment. Human exposures are currently under control, and contaminated groundwater migration has been stabilized with no unacceptable discharge to surface water. Physical construction is complete across the site, but cleanup goals for groundwater have not yet been fully achieved, so the site has not been deleted from the National Priorities List.

Community members can follow progress through EPA's public documents and five-year review reports, which are available through the Superfund records system. For direct questions, residents can contact the Community Involvement Coordinator or the Remedial Project Manager.