Status

June 2025 Quarterly Update

Residential Properties Remediation – Complete
Remediation and restoration activities are complete on all properties scheduled to be remediated under the Residential unit and EPA has issued its final approval of the remediation work. Sherwin-Williams will continue to monitor the restoration of vegetation in regulated areas as required under the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) land use permits.

Route 561 Dump Site – Soils/Sediments Complete
Remediation and restoration activities are complete on all properties associated with the Route 561 Dump Site unit. Sherwin-Williams will continue to monitor the restoration of vegetation in regulated areas as required under the NJDEP land use permit. Groundwater associated with this unit will continue to be monitored. 

The United States Avenue Burn Site – Soils/Sediments Complete
Remediation and restoration activities are complete on all areas under the United States Avenue Burn Site unit. Sherwin-Williams will continue to monitor the restoration of vegetation in regulated areas as required under the NJDEP land use permit, as well as perform post-remediation groundwater and surface water monitoring. 

The Former Manufacturing Plant (FMP) Soils – Phased Remediation Underway
The EPA-issued Record of Decision (ROD) for the FMP unit outlines three distinct remedial approaches to address contaminated soils at the FMP, sediments in a portion of Hilliards Creek adjacent to the FMP, as well as an area of light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) contamination located along the eastern side of the FMP.  

  • The FMP soils remediation has been divided into several subareas to allow for phasing of activities.  
  • Remediation of Lot 4 and the United States Avenue North parcel is complete.
  • Remediation of the 6 East Clementon / 10 Foster Avenue parcels is complete.  Restoration of the area, including installation of parking lots and landscaping, is underway. 
  • Preparations are underway for the remediation of the United States Avenue South area. Remediation is expected to begin in late summer, pending receipt of all approvals and permits. 
  • Pre-Design Investigations (PDI) and Remedial Design activities continue on FMP parcels located on the southern side of Foster Avenue, including 1 and 7 Foster Avenue. Remediation of the 7 Foster Avenue parcel is expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026.
  • PDI activities for soils and sediments are progressing along Upper Hilliards Creek, which extends from Foster Avenue down to West Clementon Road in Gibbsboro.  
  • LNAPL located within and adjoining the eastern side of the FMP will be remediated using enhanced bioremediation along with soil vapor recovery. A pilot study is being performed to provide additional data needed for the remedial design.  

Waterbodies Unit – PDI/Remedial Design/Remediation
Contaminated sediments and floodplain soils in Silver Lake, Bridgewood Lake, Kirkwood Lake and Hilliards Creek will be addressed in a phased approach. Under the EPA-approved remedy, remediation will occur on the upstream Silver and Bridgewood lakes, followed by the Hilliards Creek floodplain and Kirkwood Lake.

  • The Silver Lake Remedial Design has been approved by EPA. Lowering of lake water levels and mobilization of equipment and resources for the lake dredging is underway. Excavation is expected to begin in late June 2025, pending receipt of all necessary approvals. Dredging is expected to take approximately 6 months, followed by restoration activities.   
  • Pre-design investigations of Bridgewood Lake and adjacent upland areas are ongoing. 
  • Sherwin-Williams initiated a series of wetland surveys, tree surveys and cultural resource evaluations along Hilliards Creek extending from West Clementon Road down to the inlet of Kirkwood Lake. This first phase of soil and sediment sampling may start later this year. 

Sherwin-Williams and Camden County continue to evaluate the potential for accelerating the dredging of Kirkwood Lake before or concurrently with the dredging of upstream areas of the Waterbodies unit.

  • EPA has approved the Remedial Design for Kirkwood Lake.  Permit equivalency applications to NJDEP have been submitted and are subject to an extensive review process. At this time, there is no agreement or schedule in place for accelerating the dredging.

Former Manufacturing Plant Groundwater – Feasibility Study Phase
Sherwin-Williams has submitted to EPA the Feasibility Study (FS) of remedial alternatives to address groundwater contamination within the FMP. Following review and approval of the FS, EPA is expected to propose a groundwater remedy. The proposed remedial action plan is expected to be released, and a public meeting held, in the coming months.

Additional Activities 

United States Avenue Sanitary Sewer Extension
Sherwin-Williams Company is installing sanitary sewers in the roadways adjacent to the Former Manufacturing Plant and will connect residential properties on United States Avenue and Foster Avenue currently unserved by sanitary sewers.

  • Construction began in March, and will continue for approximately 4-6 months.
  • Work will generally be performed on weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
  • Phased road closures and lane closures will occur along Foster Avenue, United States Avenue and Berlin Road. Traffic detours will be clearly marked.
  • Construction updates will be posted on the project website at https://swhilliardscreek.com/construction-update/.