Raymark

Overview

The Raymark site covers 7 acres in Hatboro, Pennsylvania. Contamination stems from electroplating waste treatment that began in 1948. The site was added to the EPA's National Priorities List in October 1989 and has been divided into four operable units (OUs) to address different areas and types of contamination.

Eighteen contaminants of concern have been identified at the site. Groundwater contamination includes trichloroethene (TCE), tetrachloroethene, vinyl chloride, carbon tetrachloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and several dichloroethene compounds. Soil contamination includes TCE, tetrachloroethene, and a mixture of cis and trans 1,2-dichloroethene. TCE was detected in eight of sixteen public water supply wells in 1979, and those wells were removed from routine operation.

Cleanup work began in the early 1990s and included soil vapor extraction, capping the contaminated soil, and a groundwater pump and treat system. The pump and treat system removes dissolved chemicals from extracted groundwater and prevents the contaminant plume from spreading toward drinking water sources, wetlands, and streams. Overall construction was completed in September 1995, though remedial activities in some operable units continued afterward. OU 03 groundwater work is estimated to continue through late 2028. A 2007 modification eliminated the need for continuous public water supply treatment. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection now oversees site operations and maintenance. EPA has confirmed that human exposure is under control, groundwater migration is under control, and the site is ready for anticipated use. Five businesses currently operate on-site, employing 36 people and generating about $6.2 million in annual sales revenue. Institutional controls restrict uses such as residential development to prevent exposure to remaining contamination.

The most recent five-year review was conducted in September 2024. An Explanation of Significant Differences was completed in April 2023 to outline changes to the original cleanup plan and update cleanup goals for OU 03. The site remains on the National Priorities List and has not yet been deleted.

Community members can review site documents at the Union Library in Hatboro (243 South York Road) or at EPA Region 3 headquarters in Philadelphia (1600 John F. Kennedy Boulevard). Appointments should be scheduled in advance. Fact sheets and materials from community meetings, including information on vapor intrusion, are available to the public. Questions can be directed to the EPA staff assigned to the site.