EPA Superfund Site

GARFIELD GROUND WATER CONTAMINATION

NJ | EPA ID NJN000206317

About this site’s exposure pathways: As of January 2025, there is insufficient information to determine the site-wide human exposure status at the Garfield Groundwater Contamination site. Hexavalent chromium has been detected at elevated levels in the groundwater. Contaminated groundwater has infiltrated into some basements resulting in hexavalent chromium precipitate buildup on basement floors and walls. EPA has inspected basements located above the chromium groundwater plume and has taken response actions in basements found to exceed action levels for hexavalent chromium. The basements continue to be monitored and are addressed as needed. There are no current exposures from this specific pathway. EPA initiated comprehensive remedial investigation activities at the site to further characterize the nature and extent of the contamination at the site and to prepare risk assessments to determine the potential impacts to human health and the environment. In 2016, EPA selected a remedy for the contaminated overburden aquifer. The remedy is currently under construction. A remedy for the deep aquifer remains to be selected and it is anticipated that upon completion of this risk assessment and the selection of this remedy, a sitewide human exposure determination can be made.

EPA currently anticipates that there will be sufficient data to make a Human Exposure evaluation by September 2033, when the Record of Decision (ROD) is signed.

EPA ensures community participation throughout the remedial process by meeting with residents and affected stakeholders, issuing public notices and updating fact sheets. A site profile has been established on the EPA website to keep the community informed of recent progress at the site. Additionally, an EPA Community Involvement Coordinator is assigned to the site and can address specific community concerns as they arise.