North Penn - Area 6

Overview

North Penn Area 6 covers the Borough of Lansdale and parts of three nearby townships in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Trichloroethene (TCE), a industrial solvent, was found at high levels in groundwater wells in 1979. The site was added to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1989. The NPL is EPA's roster of contaminated sites that qualify for long-term federal cleanup funding and oversight.

Thirteen contaminants of concern have been identified at the site. They include TCE, tetrachloroethene, chloroethene (vinyl chloride), arsenic, hexavalent chromium, and several dichloroethene compounds. These substances were found in soil, groundwater, and soil gas across multiple areas of the site. Cleanup is organized into operable units, which are distinct areas or environmental media targeted by specific actions. One unit addresses lead-contaminated soil under EPA funding, a second covers soil at six properties led by responsible parties, and a third addresses groundwater across the entire site.

Soil cleanup at four initial source properties was finished in 2004. At the JW Rex property, EPA approved excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated soil in 2018, and that work wrapped up in fall 2023. Soil remediation at six additional properties began in late 2024 under an Administrative Order of Consent. Groundwater extraction and treatment systems have been installed at nine properties, with some work still ongoing. One property uses Enhanced Reductive Dichlorination, a process where naturally occurring microorganisms break down contaminants in place. A 2019 vapor intrusion study found no unacceptable health risk from contaminated vapors entering buildings. Human exposure is considered under control across the site, though groundwater migration status remains uncertain due to incomplete data. The site achieved partial deletions from the NPL in 2017 and 2021, removing about 6.5 acres total. One deleted parcel was redeveloped into a residential community with over 100 units.

EPA is installing new monitoring wells starting in mid-October 2025, with sampling planned for winter 2025 and summer 2026. A feasibility study for the groundwater unit began in July 2025. Full sitewide construction completion and readiness for reuse are estimated between September and November 2027. Community members can review site documents at the Lansdale Public Library at 301 Vine Street or at the EPA Region III office at 1600 John F. Kennedy Boulevard in Philadelphia. Appointments are recommended. Fact sheets and community involvement resources are also available through the EPA website. For questions, the Community Involvement Coordinator is John Brakeall and the Remedial Project Manager is Jose Redmond.