The Newark South Ground Water Plume sits in southeast Newark, Delaware, near Route 72. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, have been found in the groundwater beneath the area. The site was added to the EPA's National Priorities List in January 2018, which makes it eligible for long-term investigation and cleanup under the federal Superfund program. It is currently in the Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study phase, meaning EPA is still mapping the full extent of contamination and weighing cleanup options. Remedial investigation is expected to wrap up between May and July 2028, when EPA will issue a Record of Decision outlining the chosen cleanup approach. Remedial design is estimated to start between June and August 2028.
The City of Newark runs a treatment plant at its South Well Field that removes VOCs from the public water supply. That supply continues to meet federal and state drinking water standards and is safe to drink. EPA sampled nine new monitoring wells in nearby residential areas starting in early 2017 and tested for vapor intrusion, which is the process by which contaminated vapors can seep into homes through soil. EPA found only very low VOC levels that did not exceed health-based screening thresholds. The agency determined vapor intrusion is not a concern for residents in the Scottfield and Brookside Park neighborhoods. A 2020 investigation of nearby commercial properties using specialized drilling tools did not conclusively identify the source of the contamination. Additional groundwater sampling is scheduled for early spring 2025 to better define how far the contamination extends.
Two things remain uncertain. Groundwater migration status and human exposure control are both listed as having insufficient data. That means it is not yet confirmed whether contaminated groundwater has stopped spreading or whether all human exposures are fully controlled. Physical cleanup construction has not yet begun, and the site is not ready for its anticipated future use.
Community members can get involved through EPA's Community Involvement Program. EPA finalized a Community Involvement Plan in December 2018 that outlines how residents and other stakeholders can participate and stay informed. During the NPL listing process, EPA held a 60-day public comment period from August 3 through October 2, 2017, before making its final decision. Public records related to EPA actions can be viewed at the Newark Free Library at 750 Library Avenue, Newark, Delaware, or at the EPA Region 3 office in Philadelphia by appointment.
