The site is being addressed in two stages: short-term cleanups, or removal actions, addressing buried waste and contaminated subsurface soil, and a long-term remedial phase focused on contaminated groundwater. Following short-term cleanups to protect human health and the environment, long-term groundwater treatment and monitoring are ongoing.
| City | Kingston |
|---|---|
| County | Somerset County |
| State | New Jersey |
| Coordinates | 40.38750, -74.61528 |
Higgins Disposal is a federal Superfund site in New Jersey. The Superfund program, created by Congress in 1980, addresses sites where hazardous substances have been released or threaten release into the environment. EPA scores potential sites using the Hazard Ranking System; those that score high enough are placed on the National Priorities List.
Current status: Ready for anticipated reuse. EPA considers this site ready for anticipated reuse, meaning cleanup has progressed enough for certain land uses. This does not necessarily mean all contamination has been removed — institutional controls like deed restrictions may limit how the land can be used.
EPA has identified 10 contaminants of concern at this site, including 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane. Contamination has been detected in groundwater.
If you live near this site and have health concerns, your state health department can provide site-specific guidance. EPA maintains a community involvement program for most NPL sites, and site documents — including the Record of Decision, five-year reviews, and public health assessments — are typically available through EPA's Superfund site profile.