Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Contaminants in Groundwater near Superfund sites in Pennsylvania

Active
By Pennsylvania Water Science Center December 31, 2024

USGS has investigated groundwater flow and contaminant transport in the vicinity of Superfund and other hazardous-waste sites in Pennsylvania, in cooperation with EPA. Additional cooperative support has been provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, National Park Service, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties, and local government agencies.

Highlights

  • Many Superfund sites in southeastern Pennsylvania are underlain by Newark Basin fractured-sedimentary-rock aquifers, which historically have been used for industrial and drinking-water supply
  • Field testing characterized the highly heterogeneous and anisotropic strata showing the predominant role of dipping bed-oriented fractures in contaminant migration
  • Measured water levels in wells were used to construct water-level maps, and aquifer testing revealed high-permeability hydraulic connections between wells
  • Groundwater-flow models were developed based on synthesis of monitoring data and field-test results for selected sites
  • Simulations of transport paths were compared to observed contaminant distributions, and the simulated effect of changes in pumping on flow paths helped optimize pump and treat system operation
  • Areas contributing recharge to streams and discharging wells were mapped using the groundwater-flow models; as groundwater withdrawals in the area have decreased, a higher proportion of local recharge ultimately discharges to streams

 

USGS has also investigated groundwater contamination in sedimentary and carbonate aquifers near Philadelphia and in fractured-rock aquifers near former Navy bases in southeastern Pennsylvania in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, EPA, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and others.

 

 

Media
map of Pennsylvania with colored dots, shading, and county outlines
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
National Priority List (NPL) Superfund sites in Pennsylvania. Map identifies sites where USGS cooperative studies are ongoing or have been completed as of October, 2023. (USGS, site locations from catalog.data.gov/dataset/npl-superfund-site-boundaries-epa)

 

No Result Found
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 44

Evaluation of borehole geophysical and video logs, at Butz Landfill Superfund Site, Jackson Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania Evaluation of borehole geophysical and video logs, at Butz Landfill Superfund Site, Jackson Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania

Between February 1996 and November 2000, geophysical logging was conducted in 27 open borehole wells in and adjacent to the Butz Landfill Superfund Site, Jackson Township, Monroe County, Pa., to determine casing depth and depths of water-producing zones, water-receiving zones, and zones of vertical borehole flow. The wells range in depth from 57 to 319 feet below land surface. The...
Authors
Dennis J. Low, Randall W. Conger
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Simulation of aquifer tests and ground-water flowpaths at the local scale in fractured shales and sandstones of the Brunswick Group and Lockatong Formation, Lansdale, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Simulation of aquifer tests and ground-water flowpaths at the local scale in fractured shales and sandstones of the Brunswick Group and Lockatong Formation, Lansdale, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

The U.S. Geological Survey, as part of technical assistance to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has constructed and calibrated models of local-scale ground-water flow in and near Lansdale, Pa., where numerous sources of industrial contamination have been consolidated into the North Penn Area 6 Superfund Site. The local-scale models incorporate hydrogeologic structure of...
Authors
Daniel J. Goode, Lisa A. Senior
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Evaluation of geophysical logs and slug tests, phase II, at AIW Frank/Mid-County Mustang Superfund Site, Chester County, Pennsylvania Evaluation of geophysical logs and slug tests, phase II, at AIW Frank/Mid-County Mustang Superfund Site, Chester County, Pennsylvania

Between September 1997 and October 1998, nine monitor wells were drilled at the AIW Frank/Mid-County Mustang Superfund Site in Chester County, Pa., to determine the horizontal and vertical distribution of contaminated ground water migrating from known contaminant sources. The U.S. Geological Survey conducted borehole geophysical logging and borehole television surveys in these boreholes...
Authors
R.W. Conger, D.J. Goode, R. A. Sloto
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Hydrogeology and simulation of ground-water flow at the Gettysburg Elevator Plant Superfund Site, Adams County, Pennsylvania Hydrogeology and simulation of ground-water flow at the Gettysburg Elevator Plant Superfund Site, Adams County, Pennsylvania

Ground water in Triassic-age sedimentary fractured-rock aquifers in the area of Gettysburg, Pa., is used as drinking water and for industrial and commercial supply. In 1983, ground water at the Gettysburg Elevator Plant was found by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources to be contaminated with trichloroethene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and other synthetic organic compounds...
Authors
Dennis J. Low, Daniel J. Goode, Dennis W. Risser
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Fractured-aquifer hydrogeology from geophysical logs: Brunswick group and Lockatong Formation, Pennsylvania Fractured-aquifer hydrogeology from geophysical logs: Brunswick group and Lockatong Formation, Pennsylvania

The Brunswick Group and the underlying Lockatong Formation are composed of lithified Mesozoic sediments that constitute part of the Newark Basin in southeastern Pennsylvania. These fractured rocks form an important regional aquifer that consists of gradational sequences of shale, siltstone, and sandstone, with fluid transport occurring primarily in fractures. An extensive suite of...
Authors
Roger H. Morin, Lisa A. Senior, Edward R. Decker
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Evaluation of geophysical logs, Phase II, November 1998 to May 1999, at Crossley Farms Superfund Site, Berks County, Pennsylvania Evaluation of geophysical logs, Phase II, November 1998 to May 1999, at Crossley Farms Superfund Site, Berks County, Pennsylvania

Between November 1998 and May 1999, geophysical logging was conducted in 29 boreholes at the Crossley Farms Superfund Site, Hereford Township, Berks County, Pa., to determine the fluidproducing zones, fluid-receiving zones, zones of vertical borehole flow, and casing depth. The wells range in depth from 96 to 500 feet below land surface. Gamma logs only were collected in three bedrock...
Authors
Randall W. Conger
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

U.S. National Park Service U.S. National Park Service

USGS has investigated groundwater flow and contaminant transport in the vicinity of Superfund and other hazardous-waste sites in Pennsylvania, in cooperation with EPA. Additional cooperative support has been provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, National Park Service, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties, and local government agencies.

Highlights

  • Many Superfund sites in southeastern Pennsylvania are underlain by Newark Basin fractured-sedimentary-rock aquifers, which historically have been used for industrial and drinking-water supply
  • Field testing characterized the highly heterogeneous and anisotropic strata showing the predominant role of dipping bed-oriented fractures in contaminant migration
  • Measured water levels in wells were used to construct water-level maps, and aquifer testing revealed high-permeability hydraulic connections between wells
  • Groundwater-flow models were developed based on synthesis of monitoring data and field-test results for selected sites
  • Simulations of transport paths were compared to observed contaminant distributions, and the simulated effect of changes in pumping on flow paths helped optimize pump and treat system operation
  • Areas contributing recharge to streams and discharging wells were mapped using the groundwater-flow models; as groundwater withdrawals in the area have decreased, a higher proportion of local recharge ultimately discharges to streams

 

USGS has also investigated groundwater contamination in sedimentary and carbonate aquifers near Philadelphia and in fractured-rock aquifers near former Navy bases in southeastern Pennsylvania in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, EPA, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and others.

 

 

Media
map of Pennsylvania with colored dots, shading, and county outlines
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
National Priority List (NPL) Superfund sites in Pennsylvania. Map identifies sites where USGS cooperative studies are ongoing or have been completed as of October, 2023. (USGS, site locations from catalog.data.gov/dataset/npl-superfund-site-boundaries-epa)

 

No Result Found
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 44

Evaluation of borehole geophysical and video logs, at Butz Landfill Superfund Site, Jackson Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania Evaluation of borehole geophysical and video logs, at Butz Landfill Superfund Site, Jackson Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania

Between February 1996 and November 2000, geophysical logging was conducted in 27 open borehole wells in and adjacent to the Butz Landfill Superfund Site, Jackson Township, Monroe County, Pa., to determine casing depth and depths of water-producing zones, water-receiving zones, and zones of vertical borehole flow. The wells range in depth from 57 to 319 feet below land surface. The...
Authors
Dennis J. Low, Randall W. Conger
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Simulation of aquifer tests and ground-water flowpaths at the local scale in fractured shales and sandstones of the Brunswick Group and Lockatong Formation, Lansdale, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Simulation of aquifer tests and ground-water flowpaths at the local scale in fractured shales and sandstones of the Brunswick Group and Lockatong Formation, Lansdale, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

The U.S. Geological Survey, as part of technical assistance to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has constructed and calibrated models of local-scale ground-water flow in and near Lansdale, Pa., where numerous sources of industrial contamination have been consolidated into the North Penn Area 6 Superfund Site. The local-scale models incorporate hydrogeologic structure of...
Authors
Daniel J. Goode, Lisa A. Senior
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Evaluation of geophysical logs and slug tests, phase II, at AIW Frank/Mid-County Mustang Superfund Site, Chester County, Pennsylvania Evaluation of geophysical logs and slug tests, phase II, at AIW Frank/Mid-County Mustang Superfund Site, Chester County, Pennsylvania

Between September 1997 and October 1998, nine monitor wells were drilled at the AIW Frank/Mid-County Mustang Superfund Site in Chester County, Pa., to determine the horizontal and vertical distribution of contaminated ground water migrating from known contaminant sources. The U.S. Geological Survey conducted borehole geophysical logging and borehole television surveys in these boreholes...
Authors
R.W. Conger, D.J. Goode, R. A. Sloto
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Hydrogeology and simulation of ground-water flow at the Gettysburg Elevator Plant Superfund Site, Adams County, Pennsylvania Hydrogeology and simulation of ground-water flow at the Gettysburg Elevator Plant Superfund Site, Adams County, Pennsylvania

Ground water in Triassic-age sedimentary fractured-rock aquifers in the area of Gettysburg, Pa., is used as drinking water and for industrial and commercial supply. In 1983, ground water at the Gettysburg Elevator Plant was found by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources to be contaminated with trichloroethene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and other synthetic organic compounds...
Authors
Dennis J. Low, Daniel J. Goode, Dennis W. Risser
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Fractured-aquifer hydrogeology from geophysical logs: Brunswick group and Lockatong Formation, Pennsylvania Fractured-aquifer hydrogeology from geophysical logs: Brunswick group and Lockatong Formation, Pennsylvania

The Brunswick Group and the underlying Lockatong Formation are composed of lithified Mesozoic sediments that constitute part of the Newark Basin in southeastern Pennsylvania. These fractured rocks form an important regional aquifer that consists of gradational sequences of shale, siltstone, and sandstone, with fluid transport occurring primarily in fractures. An extensive suite of...
Authors
Roger H. Morin, Lisa A. Senior, Edward R. Decker
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Evaluation of geophysical logs, Phase II, November 1998 to May 1999, at Crossley Farms Superfund Site, Berks County, Pennsylvania Evaluation of geophysical logs, Phase II, November 1998 to May 1999, at Crossley Farms Superfund Site, Berks County, Pennsylvania

Between November 1998 and May 1999, geophysical logging was conducted in 29 boreholes at the Crossley Farms Superfund Site, Hereford Township, Berks County, Pa., to determine the fluidproducing zones, fluid-receiving zones, zones of vertical borehole flow, and casing depth. The wells range in depth from 96 to 500 feet below land surface. Gamma logs only were collected in three bedrock...
Authors
Randall W. Conger
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

U.S. National Park Service U.S. National Park Service

Was this page helpful?