Steel Craft Industries

Challenge

To achieve regulatory closure at this former manufacturing site nestled within a dense residential/commercial mixed-use neighborhood, GZA’s challenges were to remediate chlorinated volatile organic compounds (cVOCs) in soil and groundwater and address cost allocation issues for remediation of commingled off-site groundwater plumes.

Solution

GZA designed and implemented a remedial strategy which included soil vapor extraction (SVE) and excavation to remove contaminants from the soil in the source area, resulting in the NJDEP issuing a Soil Remedial Action Permit (RAP) for the site in 2018. Off-site groundwater remediation utilized enhanced reductive dichlorination (ERD) through the injection of colloidal activated carbon. GZA identified two potential cVOC plumes migrating from unknown upgradient, off-site sources, which commingled with portions of the project site’s plume. GZA’s hydrogeologists identified the limits and concentrations of those plumes, thereby reducing financial risks and exposure to our client. GZA successfully negotiated favorable clean-up standards based on off-site concentrations. In 2026, the NJDEP issued a Groundwater Remedial Action Permit (RAP) for the site. GZA’s Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) then issued a Site-Wide, Limited Restricted Use Response Action Outcome (RAO) for the Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA) establishment. 

GZA collaborated with the client and local officials on extensive community outreach, facilitating Vapor Intrusion (VI) evaluations in approximately 50 residential properties.

Benefit

Regulatory closure, with long-term monitoring requirements, was accepted by the state regulatory agency, allowing the sale and development of the site to proceed.