Ongoing Remediation
Roche has been located in Nutley and Clifton for more than eight decades. During this time, our knowledge and understanding of environmental science, technologies, and best practices have increased dramatically. Prior to the advent of modern environmental regulations, past operations at the Roche facility as well as at surrounding businesses may have caused the introduction of chemicals into soil and groundwater beneath the facility.
As such, Roche entered into a voluntary agreement with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) in October 1992 to investigate and remediate, where warranted, our property, which is situated on 119 acres of land within the City of Clifton and the Township of Nutley. Under the agreement, a comprehensive list of over 190 areas of potential concern was developed. Roche has undertaken a methodical investigation of each of these areas, under the oversight of the NJDEP. The investigation of many of them will be complete this year, and the investigation of all of them will be completed by May 2014.
Additional cleanup actions under NJDEP oversight have been underway or completed on various portions of the Roche facility for the past six years. They have included the excavation and off-site disposal, at approved, licensed disposal facilities, of soil from the site contaminated with organic compounds and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls); a groundwater remediation system to remove and treat volatile organic impacted groundwater, which then beneficially reuses the clean water in our cooling towers; a soil vapor extraction system to remove volatile organics from the subsurface soil; and an enhanced bioremediation remedy to treat groundwater impacted by chlorinated volatile organic compounds in situ (in place) and contaminated soil.
Remediation is a complex process; however, Roche maintains high ethical and social standards when it comes to protecting the environment. As such, the company is conducting the ongoing investigation and remediation with multiple Licensed State Remediation Professionals (LSRPs) (TRC Environmental Corp.), authorized by the NJ DEP to oversee and carry out remedial actions.
With the announced closure and potential sale of the Roche Nutley site by 2015, our commitment to the environment is just as strong today as in past years. It is also important to note that Roche is in compliance with all NJDEP and EPA regulations, and that our efforts are on track to develop and submit all Remedial Investigation Reports for the site to the NJDEP by May 2014, as required. Roche will also submit remediation action work plans to the NJDEP by May 2015.
For questions on Roche remediation activities, please contact:
Roche Environmental Health & Safety (973-235-6660)
Or
The LSRP Project coordinator for the Roche site (Dawn Pompeo, TRC Environmental Corp: 973-564-6006 x270)
Remediation Fact Sheets
June 2013