Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Methode Electronics Incorporated in Willingboro Township, New Jersey
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
The property is being cleaned up under the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Site Remediation Program through a cleanup agreement between NJDEP and Methode. Since the initiation of remedial actions in 1991, cleanup work has included dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) recovery, air sparging and soil vapor extraction, groundwater recovery and treatment, soil removal and capping, in-situ treatment to promote reductive dechlorination, and installation of a vapor mitigation system for off-site migration of TCE.
An expanded groundwater hydraulic containment system was constructed, including several additional pumping wells, to prevent future migration of VOCs beyond the Methode property boundary. Additional investigation and remediation was conducted to address soils that were identified as sources of groundwater contamination. Additional sampling still needs to be conducted to monitor the extent and cleanup of groundwater contamination.
Site Description
The former Methode Electronics facility is a 3.06-acre site located at 10 Industrial Drive, Willingboro Township, Burlington County, New Jersey, approximately two miles east of the Delaware River, one-half mile southeast of route 130, and one-half mile north of Rancocas Creek. Land in the vicinity of the site (within 1.5 mile) consists of a mixture of industrial, commercial, and residential properties.
The Methode facility manufactured printed wiring board from its construction in 1970 until it ceased operation in 1999.
Contaminants at this Facility
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), including trichloroethylene (TCE) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA), were first discovered in groundwater at the site in 1988. VOCs and inorganic contaminants, including arsenic, copper, lead and nickel, were identified in the soil. VOCs have since been detected in the shallow groundwater throughout much of the site and in deeper groundwater, as well as in off-site locations.
Site Responsibility at this Facility
The property is being cleaned up under the NJDEP Site Remediation Program through a remedial action cleanup agreement between New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and Methode.