Metaltec/Aerosystems
Franklin Borough, New Jersey

Site Description

The Metaltec/Aerosystems site is located on a 15.5 acre property in a rural residential area in Franklin Borough, New Jersey. It is the location of a former manufacturing facility that produced a variety of metal products. In 1980, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) began sampling the facility's wastewater lagoon and surrounding soil as part of a site inspection. Results revealed the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals. These contaminants leached from the lagoon into surrounding groundwater, and upon sampling residential wells, the State found VOCs at levels above Federal standards for drinking water. The Franklin Water Supply Well and contaminated private wells were closed in 1980, and affected residents were connected to the Borough's primary water supply. The site lies in a valley drained by a small unnamed stream that flows into Wildcat Brook, a tributary of the Walkill River. Franklin Pond lies 3/4 northeast of the Site. The now-closed Franklin Water Supply Well, which served as a secondary water supply source, is about 400 feet east of the property. Local surface water is used for recreation, fishing, and swimming.

Current Site Status and Cleanup Actions to Date

• EPA excavated (PDF) (2 pp, 530 K), treated and disposed of approximately 10,000 cubic yards of VOC-contaminated soil from Parcel 1; excavated and disposed of approximately 4,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil from Parcels 2, 3, and 4; provided an alternate water supply for the Borough of Franklin; and completed a further study the extent of the ground water contamination.
• A ground water remedy about to be constructed involves the extraction and treatment (PDF) (2 pp, 526 K) of the VOC-contaminated ground water.
• An endangered species of turtle was found at the site. EPA and the US Fish and Wildlife Service have developed a plan to ensure that site activity will not impact the turtles.

Current Funding Status

• Previously, EPA obligated approximately $18.7 million to the site.
• An endangered species of turtle was found at the site. EPA and the US Fish and Wildlife Service have developed a plan to ensure that site activity will not impact the turtles.

For more information on the projects at this site, please read the Metaltec/Aerosystems Fact Sheet (PDF) (2 pp, 10 K) on the Region 2 Superfund Web site.