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EPA to Continue Soil Removal in Peterborough, N.H.

Release Date: 11/20/2008
Contact Information: Jeanethe Falvey, (617) 918-1020

(Boston, Mass. – Nov. 20, 2008) – Picking up where state and local resources left off, EPA will continue to remove hazardous soil present at the former Wilder Thermometer Factory property in Peterborough, N.H.

The area of concern includes the former Wilder Thermometer Site which extends to a small section of North Village, the town-owned Right-of-Way and to part of Hunt Street. Suspicions of soil contamination were confirmed when the Town of Peterborough conducted an investigation at the site with a grant awarded to the Southwest Region Planning Commission through EPA’s Brownfield Program.

Soil analysis revealed elevated levels of mercury in surface soil around the site. A cleanup action plan was developed and additional sampling efforts confirmed the locations and concentrations of mercury. The N.H. Dept. of Environmental Services initiated the soil removal and was able to excavate approximately 126 tons of contaminated soil from the town owned properties. Upon reaching the Wilder Thermometer Site property boundary, EPA assistance was requested.

EPA expects to remove the remaining mercury contamination and return clean fill to the areas disturbed within eight to ten weeks. The hazardous soil collected will be disposed of at an off site facility certified to handle contaminated material.

More Information: EPA’s Removal Program and other short term cleanups (www.epa.gov/region1/superfund/er/index.htm)