EPA Proposes Updated Groundwater Cleanup Plan for Radiation Technology Inc. Superfund Site

Rockaway Township, N.J. - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing an updated cleanup plan for groundwater contamination at the Radiation Technology Inc. Superfund site in Rockaway Township, New Jersey. Recent EPA studies show that contaminants left from historic rocket-engine testing are breaking down naturally and remain deep in the bedrock, where they are not reaching nearby homes or Lake Denmark. EPA is proposing long-term groundwater monitoring to make sure contaminant levels keep going down and that the cleanup continues to protect human health and the environment.

"Years of study show that the contamination is trapped deep in the rock and isn't reaching drinking water or Lake Denmark," said EPA Regional Administrator Michael Martucci. "There's no current exposure to people or wildlife and the groundwater is naturally getting cleaner over time. EPA will monitor the groundwater and keep a close watch on its improvement, so Rockaway Township stays protected."

The proposed groundwater cleanup builds on decades of work already completed at the site, from 1994 through 2021. During that time, EPA removed contaminated soil and buried waste, demolished unsafe buildings and cleared hazardous materials such as asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, and lead-based paint. These actions addressed the areas of highest concern and eliminated ways people could come into contact with contamination. With those risks resolved, the remaining work now centers on groundwater.

Due to its complexity, the EPA's cleanup of the Radiation Technology site has been conducted in phases. EPA selected a groundwater pump-and-treat cleanup in 1994; however, additional EPA studies showed that the site's fractured bedrock prevents that approach from effectively reaching the remaining contamination. EPA's updated plan amends the original groundwater remedy by identifying three small areas where contaminants are embedded deep in fractured rock and cannot be reached by treatment systems. In these areas, EPA proposes recognizing that engineered treatment is not possible. Across the entire site, EPA would continue long-term groundwater monitoring to confirm that conditions continue to improve and that the cleanup remains protective.

EPA is accepting public comments on the proposed cleanup plan for 45 days, beginning on December 22, 2025and ending on February 5, 2026.

EPA encourages residents to review the plan and share their feedback. The public may submit comments to Brian Quinn, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10007 or by email to [email protected].

EPA will also hold a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. to provide an overview of the cleanup proposal and answer community's questions. Please register here for a link to the virtual meeting: https://bit.ly/RTIPRAPExit EPA's website.

Visit the Radiation Technologies Inc. Superfund Site profile pagefor additional background and site documents.  

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