The Suffern Village Well Field serves about 12,000 people through four production wells in the Village of Suffern, New York. Industrial solvents contaminated the public water supply starting in 1978. EPA added the site to the Superfund National Priorities List in June 1986 and removed it in May 1993 after cleanup goals were met.
Four contaminants were found in groundwater: 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethene, and 1,2-dichloroethane. These volatile organic compounds entered the groundwater from the Tempcon Corporation, an oil burner reconditioning business located about 2,500 feet uphill from the well field. Tempcon had discharged waste fluids containing trichloroethane into a seepage pit until 1979.
Cleanup actions began quickly. In 1979, contaminated soil at the Tempcon facility was dug up, aired out, and backfilled. The Village installed an air stripping system to remove contaminants from the water supply by evaporation. After a 1987 investigation found only low contaminant levels remaining, EPA determined no further major cleanup was needed. The Village then added an activated carbon and manganese filtration system to meet updated drinking water standards. Physical construction was completed on September 4, 1992.
The site has no remaining source of hazardous waste contamination. Human exposure is under control, groundwater migration has been stabilized, and there are no unacceptable pathways for people to contact contamination. The site has achieved "Sitewide Ready for Anticipated Use" status, meaning all cleanup goals for current and future land uses have been met. A five-year review conducted in September 1998 confirmed that cleanup actions protect public health and the environment as intended. No further monitoring or reviews are required.
Community members with questions about the site can contact the EPA directly. Site records are available for review at Suffern Village Hall (61 Washington Avenue, Suffern, New York 10901) or at the EPA Superfund Records Center at 290 Broadway, 18th floor, New York, New York 10007. The Records Center can be reached at (212) 637-4308.
