Weisbecker Cleaners

135 Philadelphia Avenue
Egg Harbor City, Atlantic County
Block: 206, Lots: 21 & 22A
PI: 003646

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has contracted the Louis Berger Group, Inc. to perform a Remedial Investigation (RI) of the soil and ground water in the vicinity of the
Weisbecker Cleaners Site.

Site Background

Since the 1940s, Weisbecker Cleaners, or “the Site” has operated as a dry cleaning and laundry facility. NJDEP records indicate that Weisbecker Cleaners utilized tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in the 1980s. PCE is a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) commonly used in the dry cleaning process.

During an investigation of the former Egg Harbor City Manufactured Gas Plant, PCE contamination was discovered in ground water. As a result, NJDEP initiated an investigation to determine the source of the PCE.

In August 2004, ground water samples were collected by NJDEP in the area of several suspected properties including Weisbecker Cleaners. PCE and its degradation by-products were detected in the ground water in borings approximately 200 feet northeast of Weisbecker Cleaners. In April 2005, NJDEP collected groundwater samples onsite and offsite. PCE and its degradation by-products were detected in onsite groundwater samples as high as 4,000 parts per billion (ppb) of PCE at a depth of 48 feet. PCE was detected offsite at 300 ppb at a depth of 96 feet. The NJDEP Ground Water Remediation Standard for PCE is 1 ppb. As a result, Weisbecker Cleaners was identified as a potential source of the PCE contamination.

Remedial Investigation

Through previous investigations, the extent of the ground water and soil contamination at and near the Site have been partially characterized, but further investigations are required.

The primary objectives of this RI include:

• Confirm and delineate the source(s) of soil and ground water contamination;
• Characterize site geologic and hydrogeologic conditions;
• Characterize the ground water flow direction;
• Assess ground water quality and delineate the extent of groundwater contamination using Class I-PL (Protection Area) criterion;
• Identify potential contaminant impacts to surrounding surface water;
• Evaluate potential effects to human receptors and natural ecological resources.

Field Activities

An on-site soil investigation will consist of approximately 15 soil boring locations to investigate and potentially delineate on-site soil contamination. Soil samples will be collected from each of the locations and the samples will be analyzed for VOCs.

A investigation will be performed to delineate the off-site ground water contamination. This investigation will consist of screening at up to 15 locations and the installation and sampling of up to 30 monitoring wells. The ground water samples will be analyzed for VOCs.

To address the possibility that the contaminated ground water has reached the wetlands area, surface water and sediment samples will be collected from five locations and analyzed for VOCs. Additionally, a baseline ecological evaluation and a well search will be performed to identify any potential ecological and human receptors that may be affected by the Site-related contamination.

Vapor Intrusion Investigation

Vapor intrusion is the migration of volatile chemicals from the subsurface into enclosed buildings. Volatile compounds in subsurface soil and groundwater can potentially impact the indoor air quality of a building. The vapor intrusion investigation will evaluate the indoor air quality at each sampled property and identify potential or actual vapor intrusion pathways, as applicable. Subsurface vapor samples may also be collected adjacent to or beneath each property. All samples will be compared to the applicable NJDEP screening levels. Pending the results of the initial vapor intrusion investigation, additional residential and commercial properties may be investigated. All property owners will be notified in advance of sampling activities.

NJDEP will provide a copy of the approved
Remedial Investigation Report and any other
environmental reports to the City of Egg Harbor
upon request.

For more information, please contact:

Sana Qureshi,
Office of Community Relations
P: 609-984-2038, F: 609-292-4401
E: Sana.Qureshi@dep.nj.gov

Mary Lou Parra
Bureau of Inv., Design & Construction
P: 609-633-3618
E: MaryLou.Parra@dep.nj.gov

Other resources:

For more information on vapor intrusion,
please see the NJDEP Vapor Intrusion Guidance.

For frequently asked questions about specific contaminants,
please see the ATSDR ToxFAQs.

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