Baghurst Drive

Overview

The Baghurst Drive Superfund site sits in Harleysville, Pennsylvania, in Montgomery County. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection found a plume of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in residential drinking water wells in 1999. The site was added to the National Priorities List (NPL) in September 2014, making it eligible for cleanup under the federal Superfund program. The source of the contamination has not been identified despite investigation efforts.

Nine contaminants have been found in groundwater at the site. They are 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethene, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,4-dioxane, chloroethene (vinyl chloride), chloroform, and trichloroethene. Twenty-seven residential wells are affected, including one shared well serving 10 homes. Treatment systems are in place at residential properties but EPA determined they are not strong enough for long-term safety. Vapor intrusion into homes is not considered a concern at this site.

EPA finalized its cleanup plan on May 18, 2022. The plan calls for in-situ thermal treatment to address the source area and in-situ chemical oxidation to target contamination hot spots. It also includes groundwater and vapor intrusion monitoring and institutional controls. A public waterline extension serving roughly 30 homes was completed in September 2022. A booster station and water storage tank are being built at Rahmer Park to maintain water pressure. EPA continues to provide bottled water and operate carbon treatment systems at affected homes until groundwater cleanup is complete. Remedial design began in September 2022, with one phase finished in October 2024 and the next phase estimated to wrap up between September and November 2027. The remedial action phase started in September 2024 and is expected to finish between September and November 2028.

EPA has determined that human exposure is under control and that contaminated groundwater is not discharging to surface water at unacceptable levels. Physical construction of the remedy is not yet complete, and the site is not ready for its anticipated future use. EPA will keep monitoring to confirm the contamination stays within its current area.

Community members can stay informed through public meetings and agency updates. Presentation slides from a public meeting held August 5, 2025 are available, and EPA released a fact sheet in July 2025 covering remedial action and construction progress. Documents related to the site are available online and at Indian Valley Public Library in Telford, Pennsylvania, and at the EPA Region 3 office in Philadelphia. Appointments should be scheduled before visiting either location. For questions, residents can contact the Community Involvement Coordinator or either of the two Remedial Project Managers.