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SUPERFUND BRIEFLY - WEEKLY REPORT FOR PENNSYLVANIA

Release Date: 11/3/1998
Contact Information: Ruth Podems (215) 814-5540

CROSSLEY FARMS, Hereford Township, Berks County -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has removed and transported off-site for disposal about 1,200 drums and 15,000 tons of contaminated soil from the Crossley Farms Superfund site on Blackhead Hill, in Hareford Township.  The excavation pit was backfilled with clean material and finished with two feet of topsoil.  EPA has been involved in cleanup activities at Crossley Farms since 1983, when the agency confirmed the contamination discovered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources.  The department subsequently issued a health advisory against using the contaminated wells, and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency provided temporary water supplies.  Additional sampling was conducted because of complaints filed by citizens. Background:  From the mid-l960s to the mid-l970s, a local plant allegedly sent numerous drums to the Crossley Farm/Hereford ground water site for disposal.  These drums contained mostly liquid waste and had a distinctive “solvent” odor.  The plant was believed to have used trichloroethylene (TCE) as a degreaser until 1970.  A large plume of TCE-contaminated ground water was identified, its source located near the crest of Blackhead Hill.  More private wells are being affected by site contamination as the plume continues to spread.  Public and private wells within four miles of the site supply drinking water to an estimated 4,800 people; the closest private well is within one mile of Crossley Farm.


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