Havertown Superfund
Encyclopedia
Havertown Superfund refers to the polluted groundwater site in Havertown, Pennsylvania
. While its designation as a Superfund
cleanup site did not occur until the early 1990s, the site's environmental hazards had been identified as early as 1973.
, dioxins
, and pentachlorophenol
) were created as waste products. Natural Wood Preservers disposed of these waste products, untreated, into an on-site well. These chemicals fed directly into Naylor's Run Creek
and eventually into the Delaware River
, for which the creek is a tributary.
This disposal of hazardous waste continued for a minimum of several decades during the company's ownership of the site, which ended in 1991. During the company's 44-year ownership, both local and federal government bodies attempted to force Natural Wood Preservers to stop their dumping and clean up the existing pollution.
In 1976, amidst the continuing litigation, the Environmental Protection Agency
took emergency action at the site by drilling wells and pumping pentachlorophenol to the surface for treatment. During this time, the owners were uncooperative with the EPA which led to its addition to the National Priorities List
for clean up.
In 1987, the EPA installed a fence to restrict access to the site and sponge-like barriers to restrict the wastes from entering Naylor's Run Creek.
In 1991, Natural Wood Preservers no longer retained ownership of the site. The responsibility of cleaning up the site was given to state and federal agencies.
The cleanup is ongoing, with the major installation of a synthetic cap to isolate much of the contaminated soil in 1996. The most recent advancements occurred in 2006 when the EPA installed additional extraction wells on the site.
Havertown, Pennsylvania
Havertown is a residential suburban unincorporated community in Haverford Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States, approximately 9 miles west of the center of Philadelphia. Havertown's ZIP Code is 19083. Havertown is notable for being the birthplace of Swell Bubble Gum, which closed...
. While its designation as a Superfund
Superfund
Superfund is the common name for the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 , a United States federal law designed to clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances...
cleanup site did not occur until the early 1990s, the site's environmental hazards had been identified as early as 1973.
History
In 1947, Natural Wood Preservers established a wood treatment plant at the intersection of Eagle Road and West Hillcrest Avenue in Havertown, Pennsylvania. During its operation in the treatment of the wood, hazardous chemicals (including oilOil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
, dioxins
Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds
Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds are by-products of various industrial processes, and are commonly regarded as highly toxic compounds that are environmental pollutants and persistent organic pollutants . They include:...
, and pentachlorophenol
Pentachlorophenol
Pentachlorophenol is an organochlorine compound used as a pesticide and a disinfectant. First produced in the 1930s, it is marketed under many trade names...
) were created as waste products. Natural Wood Preservers disposed of these waste products, untreated, into an on-site well. These chemicals fed directly into Naylor's Run Creek
Naylors Run
Naylors Run is a tributary of Cobbs Creek in Havertown and Upper Darby, Pennsylvania in the United States.Naylors Run flows underground in Upper Darby from Sherbrook Boulevard to Walnut Park Drive, where it joins Cobbs Creek...
and eventually into the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
, for which the creek is a tributary.
This disposal of hazardous waste continued for a minimum of several decades during the company's ownership of the site, which ended in 1991. During the company's 44-year ownership, both local and federal government bodies attempted to force Natural Wood Preservers to stop their dumping and clean up the existing pollution.
Governmental intervention
In 1973, State authorities started legal procedures to require Natural Wood Preservers and other surrounding private companies to clean up the wastes that contaminated the area. This litigation ended seven years later in a ruling that Natural Wood Preservers was required to clean the site.In 1976, amidst the continuing litigation, the Environmental Protection Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
took emergency action at the site by drilling wells and pumping pentachlorophenol to the surface for treatment. During this time, the owners were uncooperative with the EPA which led to its addition to the National Priorities List
National Priorities List
The National Priorities List is the list of hazardous waste sites in the United States eligible for long-term remedial action financed under the federal Superfund program. Environmental Protection Agency regulations outline a formal process for assessing hazardous waste sites and placing them on...
for clean up.
In 1987, the EPA installed a fence to restrict access to the site and sponge-like barriers to restrict the wastes from entering Naylor's Run Creek.
In 1991, Natural Wood Preservers no longer retained ownership of the site. The responsibility of cleaning up the site was given to state and federal agencies.
Clean-up
The EPA estimates that, in 1992 alone, 97,000 tons of liquids, 55 gallons of solids and 60 tons of sludge, all contaminated by hazardous wastes, were removed from the site. The cleaning continued with the removal of dozens of contaminated containers and the demolition of the wood treatment building.The cleanup is ongoing, with the major installation of a synthetic cap to isolate much of the contaminated soil in 1996. The most recent advancements occurred in 2006 when the EPA installed additional extraction wells on the site.