After PCBs were found in soil at the former Unimatic plant and in surrounding waterways, the EPA added the Fairfield, New Jersey site to the Superfund National Priorities List in 2014.
The cleanup began with a detailed assessment of contamination levels, then moved to excavation of more than 52,000 tons of soil from the property itself. The former manufacturing building was razed and all hazardous materials were shipped to licensed disposal facilities.
In April 2026, the agency also removed over 2,500 tons of contaminated sediment from downstream areas, backfilled those holes with clean fill, and planted native trees and shrubs to restore the landscape.
EPA will keep monitoring groundwater for PCB residues and will conduct a five‑year review in 2028 to evaluate the long‑term effectiveness of the cleanup. The current owner of the 25 Sherwood Lane parcel will maintain protective fencing until the property is sold under the 2021 consent decree, which will reimburse the agency for costs.
For residents living near the former plant, the cleanup brings relief after years of uncertainty about drinking water safety.