The EPA is studying if the contamination at the Cinnaminson Superfund site is spreading in the groundwater.
Moorestown Township may be one step closer to determining a source of the township’s water contamination. At the most recent council meeting, the township authorized an access agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency allowing it to install monitoring wells adjacent to the Allison Court Pump Station.
“What the EPA is looking for is to better understand to what extent the contamination at that Superfund site is spreading in the groundwater,” said Township Manager Thomas Neff.
The EPA plans on drilling three wells and will test for trichloroethylene (TCE). The township has made an additional request that the EPA expand its testing to include 1,2,3-Trichloropropane (TCP).
Neff said that in late April the EPA reached out to the township to discuss setting up testing at the site. In late August, the township received draft access agreements from the agency asking to dig the wells.
Upon receiving the agreements, the township engaged in discussions with the agency to ensure that throughout the testing, it would act as good neighbors and would limit its working hours to cause the least disturbance to the surrounding community, Neff said.
On Oct. 10, township and EPA officials walked the site to determine where the agency would store the dirt removed during excavation. While the EPA had suggested the Public Works’ garage, the township suggested storing the dirt at the nearby sewage treatment plant instead.
Neff said the township stipulated three conditions to the draft agreement it received in August. The township has asked that the EPA does not exceed a 3,000-foot staging area at the sewer plant, the EPA has a three-week deadline to remove the dirt after excavation, and the township has asked that the EPA reaches out to residents to explain what activity is taking place at the site.
Resident Michael Babcock asked for clarification about the testing for 1,2,3-Trichloropropane. He said at the last council meeting, Councilman Michael Locatell informed those in attendance the EPA was seeking to test for 123-TCP, but according to the resolution, 1,2,3-TCP is not currently in the agreement.
Neff explained that 1,2,3-TCP is not being tested for under the agreement. He said the EPA is testing for TCE, which is one of the chemicals currently being treated at the North Church Street Water Treatment Plant. He said during the discussions, the township asked the EPA about testing for 1,2,3-TCP, but was informed the agency has no plans to test for that chemical.
For that reason, the council made a formal request for the EPA to test for 1,2,3-TCP as part of the resolution to execute the access agreements. Neff said it’s important the township “pressure” the EPA to help.
Neff said the monitoring is an important step to help the township better understand where the contamination is taking place. He said it will either help it rule out the site or identify the site as part of the problem. He said, either way, it helps it to narrow down the responsible party.
“We won’t know until the wells are dug and the EPA does the testing, which will be a good thing for everybody because the more science you have, the better,” Neff said.
The next meeting of Moorestown Township Council will take place on Monday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall.
