Environmental Remediation Planned at Township Gas Station

Soil polluted with five different compounds caused by petroleum contamination is set to be removed from a Washington Township gas station in coming months.

The Washington Township Planning Board approved an application this month — and is scheduled to vote on a resolution finalizing the approval Wednesday — to allow more than 2,000 cubic yards of soil to be excavated at the 5 Star Gas on the corner of Pascack Road and Washington Avenue as part of an environmental remediation before the site is renovated with a new convenience store and additional pumps.

In addition to the soil, a 30-gallon tank and pumps, lights and signs will be removed from the site as part of the project. 

Samples taken over the past few years have found five compounds in soil and three of the same compounds in groundwater "above the standards at the site," according to a report from Applied Earth Solutions of Metuchen, the company which is slated to perform the remediation. The contaminated soil was found between 9 and 18.5 feet underground under paved areas of the site.

A 2007 investigation found no petroleum components in drinking water, according to the report.

The applicant wrote that they plan to start the work within a month or two of the plan being approved. After that, work can begin on the convenience store and new pumps project.