The US Environmental Protection Agency completed the cleanup at the Unimatic Manufacturing Corporation Superfund Site in Fairfield, New Jersey, removing over 52,000 tons of PCB-contaminated soil from the site and more than 2,500 tons of contaminated sediment from downstream areas. The EPA demolished the former manufacturing building, backfilled excavated areas with clean material, and restored them with trees and shrubs. Long-term monitoring will continue to ensure the cleanup remains effective over time.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-07,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed a major cleanup at the Unimatic Manufacturing Corporation Superfund Site in Fairfield, New Jersey. The EPA removed over 52,000 tons of soil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and cleaned up areas where contamination had spread downstream. In April 2026, an additional 2,500 tons of contaminated sediment were also excavated from the downstream regions. The former manufacturing building was demolished, and contaminated materials were disposed of properly.
The EPA began investigating the site in response to detecting PCBs in soil and sediment at both the facility and in nearby waterways. This contamination posed a risk to surrounding communities, prompting the agency to list the site on the Superfund National Priorities List in 2014. Under a 2021 consent decree with EPA and New Jersey, the property owner will sell the land, using proceeds to reimburse cleanup costs incurred by the EPA and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Groundwater and restored areas at the site will continue to be monitored to ensure that the cleanup remains effective long-term.
Written for “EPA Cleanup Efforts” on 2026-10-07,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
A cleanup at the Unimatic Manufacturing Corporation Superfund Site in Fairfield, New Jersey, has been completed to remove PCB contamination.
asserted
cleanup → complete → contamination
The US Environmental Protection Agency removed more than 52,000 tons of contaminated soil from the manufacturing property and cleaned up areas where the pollution had spread downstream.
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pollution → remove → areas
The former Unimatic building was demolished, and contaminated materials were removed for disposal.
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materials → demolish → disposal
In April 2026, more than 2,500 tons of contaminated sediment were also removed from downstream areas.
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tons → contaminate → areas
The excavated areas were then filled with clean material, and trees and shrubs were planted to restore the site.
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trees → excavate → site
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, groundwater and the restored areas will continue to be monitored to make sure the cleanup remains effective over time.
uncertain
cleanup → accord → time
What steps did EPA take to clean up the Unimatic site
The EPA began investigating the Unimatic site after finding PCBs in soil and sediment at the manufacturing facility and in downstream areas.
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EPA → take → areas
The contamination posed a risk to surrounding communities, leading the agency to add the site to the Superfund National Priorities List in 2014.
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contamination → pose → 2014
Cleanup work progressed in phases.
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work → progress → phases
It began with investigating the extent of contamination, followed by removing contaminated soil and building materials at the source.
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It → begin → source
EPA then demolished the former manufacturing facility and addressed contamination that had moved beyond the property into downstream areas.
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that → demolish → areas
In April 2026, EPA completed removing more than 2,500 tons of contaminated sediment downstream.
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EPA → complete → sediment
The agency also backfilled excavated areas with clean material and restored them with trees and shrubs as planned.
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agency → backfille → trees
More than 52,000 tons of contaminated soil and sediment removed from the site
As part of the cleanup, EPA demolished the former Unimatic building and disposed of the contaminated materials.
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EPA → contaminate → materials
More than 52,000 tons of soil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, were removed from the site and sent to licensed facilities for safe disposal.
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tons → contaminate → disposal
The cleanup also covered downstream areas where the contamination had spread.
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contamination → cover → areas
In April 2026, EPA completed the removal of more than 2,500 tons of contaminated sediment from these areas.
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EPA → complete → areas
The excavated areas were then filled with clean material.
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areas → excavate → material
Trees and shrubs were planted to restore the affected areas.
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Trees → plant → areas
The cleanup addressed contamination at both the manufacturing property and the downstream areas.
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cleanup → address → property
Long-term monitoring will continue to track conditions at the site.
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monitoring → continue → site
How will the Unimatic site be monitored and managed after cleanup
Although the cleanup is complete, EPA will continue monitoring the site.
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EPA → monitor → site
Groundwater will be monitored over the long term to make sure the cleanup remains effective.
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cleanup → monitor → term
The agency will also conduct a five-year review, with the first review scheduled for 2028 to assess the cleanup.
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review → conduct → cleanup
Over the next year, EPA will inspect and maintain the restored areas, including checking plant growth and maintaining protective fencing.
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EPA → inspect → fencing
The current owner of the 25 Sherwood Lane portion of the site will remain responsible for maintaining the property until it is sold.
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it → remain → property
Under a 2021 consent decree with EPA and New Jersey, the owner will sell the property, and the proceeds will reimburse EPA and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for cleanup costs.
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proceeds → sell → costs
How will EPA track the site after restoration
EPA said drinking water for nearby residents meets federal and state standards and is routinely tested by the Verona and Essex Fells water departments.
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water → track → departments
The agency will continue monitoring groundwater and inspecting the restored areas after the cleanup.
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agency → continue → cleanup
EPA will also maintain protective fencing and monitor plant growth during the year.
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EPA → maintain → year
These measures will help ensure the cleanup remains protective.
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cleanup → help → ?
The five-year review scheduled for 2028 will further assess the effectiveness of the work.
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review → schedule → work
As part of the restoration, trees and shrubs were planted after downstream sediment was removed and the excavated areas were filled with clean material.
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areas → plant → material
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