EPA Awards $2.5 Million Grant to Clean Up Contaminated Camden Site
The EPA has awarded a $2.5 million grant to clean up a 1.6-acre site in Camden's Bergen Square neighborhood. An illegally dumped, 45-foot-high dirt pile previously on the site led to underground contamination with lead, arsenic, and PFAS. The funding…
Philadelphia, PA, October 1, 2026 — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has allocated a $2.5 million grant aimed at addressing environmental contamination at a 1.6-acre property located within Camden’s Bergen Square neighborhood. The funding is designated for the cleanup of soil and subsurface areas affected by hazardous substances.
According to information available, the contamination stems from an illegally dumped dirt pile, which reportedly reached a height of 45 feet on the site. This accumulation of material is cited as the cause for underground contamination, with analyses identifying the presence of lead, arsenic, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the soil.
The awarded grant will facilitate the excavation and removal of a layer of contaminated soil. This remediation effort is intended to prepare the site for future redevelopment. Potential uses for the cleaned property include the development of retail spaces and housing, though specific redevelopment plans have not been detailed.
Details regarding the specific timeline for the cleanup operations, the identity of the contractor selected to perform the work, or the precise nature of the future redevelopment projects were not immediately available. The EPA’s grant is a crucial step in mitigating the environmental risks posed by the legacy dumping and in enabling the revitalization of the Bergen Square area.
PFAS, often referred to as ‘forever chemicals,’ are a group of man-made chemicals that can accumulate in the environment and in people’s bodies. Lead and arsenic are naturally occurring elements, but can be toxic when present in elevated concentrations, particularly in drinking water and soil.
The cleanup is expected to address the immediate environmental hazards, making the land suitable for its intended future purposes and contributing to the broader environmental health of the Camden community. Further information regarding the project’s execution and future development will be made public as it becomes available.
Story summarized from the original created by Frank Kummer on www.inquirer.com, see more information here.
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