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Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Frontier Chemical Waste Process Incorporated in Pendleton, New York

On this page:

  • Cleanup Status
  • Site Description
  • Contaminants at this Facility
  • Site Responsibility

Cleanup Status 

Corrective Action is complete at this site with the exception of a long term pump and treat system to treat leachate from an on-site containment area. This is evaluated annually with groundwater monitoring.

A locked gate and fencing limit public access to the site. Private well water and basement sump water sampling by New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) in 1992 and 1993 did not find contamination from the site. Human exposures via drinking water are not expected because all local residences are now connected to public water there is no evidence of off-site groundwater contamination. The levels of chemicals found in off-site surface soil samples collected by NYSDOH in 1992, 1993, and 1994 represent no health concern. Bull Creek water and sediment analyses are not contaminated with site-related chemicals.

NYSDOH completed an exposure survey in July 1994 which concluded that no significant exposure pathways exist. The November 1996 NYSDOH cancer incidence study concluded that overall cancer incidence was similar to expected for males and females. Dermal contact by trespassers to contaminated surface soils in the former process area and air exposures have been eliminated with the newly installed cap.

Groundwater is contained on site as evidenced by groundwater monitoring reports. 


Site Description

Frontier Chemical Waste Process, Inc. is located at 7025 Townline Road, Pendleton, New York. This site was used for the treatment of industrial wastes from 1959 to 1974, with many wastes being discharged to the lake on the property (Quarry Lake). 

Over 50 barrels containing pyridine were excavated and removed from site during 1984-85 in a Superfund Removal Action. The lake was dewatered by pumping the water to the County sewage treatment plant. Under Consent Orders issued in 1984, 1986, and 1988, Frontier was required to remediate the Quarry Lake by excavating the contaminated sediment and placing it in a containment area which was to be built on-site. In addition, Frontier was required to investigate suspected disposal areas to the southeast of the lake. Frontier installed 12 additional monitoring wells in 1988 as a part of the investigation.

Frontier did not implement and complete the work as required by the Consent Orders, and the facility was found to be in violation. Consequently, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) undertook the Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study, which was completed in 1991.

The Remedial Investigation determined that the bottom sediments of Quarry Lake were contaminated with heavy metals. The process/fill area south of the lake was also contaminated with both organics and heavy metals. The Record of Decision (ROD) was signed in March 1992. A Consent Order was signed with the Potentially Responsible Parties in early 1994. 

Detailed design of the selected remedy was finalized in early 1995 and remedial construction began in August 1995. The remedy included:

  • the construction of a (subsurface) clay barrier wall on the south side of the lake,
  • removal and consolidation of contaminated lake sediments in the former "process/fill area" (south of the lake),
  • capping of the "process/fill area" with a low permeability membrane liner overlaid with soil/grass,
  • surface water drainage improvements to handle lake water control/discharge,
  • installation of a leachate collection system under the "process/fill area" with an underground leachate treatment system with discharge to the local Publicly Owned Treatment Works (via sanitary sewer connection and local discharge permit), and
  • a long term operation, maintenance, and groundwater monitoring program to ensure the long term effectiveness of the remedy.

The remedial construction was completed in late 1996. Long term operations and management including collection and treatment of contaminated ground water and perimeter ground water monitoring are ongoing. 


Contaminants at this Facility

Active remediation is complete at this site and health and environmental threats have been contained.


Site Responsibility at this Facility

This facility was never officially permitted. The Record of Decision was signed in March 1992. A Consent Order was signed with the Potentially Responsible Parties in early 1994.