DEP Stops Experimental Plan in Pompton, Good but They Need Thorough Cleanup

Commissioner McCabe has stated that she will not allow an experimental process to discharge treated groundwater at Pompton Lakes. The process would include installing a horizontal well for the water to be discharged into. The plan is new and has not been done at any other site in New Jersey. The New Jersey Sierra Club was concerned with the process because it could have made the vapor intrusion problem that these homeowners face even worse.

“We think it is a win for Pompton Lakes that McCabe has stopped this terrible proposal. It’s good that she has not decided to allow an experimental hydraulic process that would turn the town into a toxic laboratory. We were concerned this new process would pull toxic chemicals out from the site and moving the plume even further and it is critical that it was pulled by McCabe,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “It is important that DEP stopped this new process, however the department has to come up with a thorough clean-up plan for Pompton Lakes.”

The contamination at this site can be attributed to the former DuPont munitions facility in Pompton Lakes and Wanaque. Mercury and other pollution was brought to Pompton Lakes by Acid Brook. The people of Pompton Lakes have been suffering from the legacy of DuPont’s chemical wasteland, which consists of 202 areas of concern directly adjacent to our homes, a lead and mercury laden lake, and a poisonous plume of vapor gases rising up into 450+ basements. Commissioner McCabe said that she will allow for the current system of cleanup to continue, which is letting it natural attenuation.

“McCacbe said that the current system is working in Pompton Lakes is working and pollution is getting less, but it’s not. Natural attenuation means that the pollution will just sit there. The Murphy Administration must come up with a through clean-up plan or buyout plan. The people of Pompton Lakes have been suffering for decades from this contamination and they deserve a full clean-up on the site,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “This is good news but the bad news is that DEP will not change the current clean-up plan. They must keep their commitment and get the people of Pompton Lakes out of their toxic nightmare.”