Pijak Farm sits on about 87 acres in Plumstead Township, Ocean County, New Jersey. From 1963 to 1970, a specialty and research chemicals facility dumped roughly 3,740 drums and free-flowing liquids into a natural ditch on the property, then covered them with soil. In 1980, the State of New Jersey found that groundwater had been contaminated with organic chemicals. Because groundwater was the only drinking water source for nearby residents, the EPA added Pijak Farm to the National Priorities List (NPL) in September 1983.
Contaminants found at the site include Aroclor 1254, bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, chromium, dibutyl phthalate, dichloromethane, ethylbenzene, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, and toluene. These were detected in soil across the site. Ethylbenzene, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, and p,p'-DDT were also found in sediment. The surrounding community relied on the affected groundwater not just for drinking water but also for crop irrigation and livestock watering.
The cleanup remedy, selected in a 1984 Record of Decision, called for removing and disposing of drums and lab packs off-site, excavating contaminated soil, pumping groundwater during excavation, and installing sediment controls. Morton International, the potentially responsible party, carried out these actions between 1989 and 1994. About 4,000 cubic yards of waste material and contaminated soil were removed. Additional measures included revegetation, drainage and erosion control, and shoreline and slope stabilization. Construction was completed on February 28, 1996.
The EPA deleted Pijak Farm from the NPL in March 1997 after confirming the cleanup met its goals. Human exposure is under control, meaning no unsafe contamination pathways remain. Groundwater migration is also under control, with no unacceptable discharge to surface water. The EPA continues monitoring to ensure contaminated groundwater stays within its original area. The site reached sitewide ready for anticipated reuse status on June 13, 2006, meaning all cleanup goals have been met for current and expected future land uses and no unacceptable risks remain. Residents and farmers in the surrounding agricultural areas can continue living and working safely on the property.
Community members with questions can contact the EPA's Community Involvement Coordinator or Remedial Project Manager directly using the information below. Supporting documents are also available for in-person review at the EPA Superfund Records Center at 290 Broadway, 18th floor, New York, NY 10007.
