Oil Leak Reported At Former Bancroft Property In Haddonfield

HADDONFIELD, NJ — The removal of an underground storage tank resulted in an oil leak at the former Bancroft site on Tuesday, Haddonfield officials announced on Wednesday.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) reported the leak to borough officials late Tuesday afternoon.

NJDEP found two piles of asphalt and two disturbed areas during a site inspection that was conducted as a result of the leak, officials said.

There were heavy odors of petroleum in both disturbed areas, as well as a visible oil sheen in the depressed area in front of Bancroft’s former Stevenson Center, officials said.

The sheen and odor were also detected in and around a storm drain further north of the property, officials said.

Haddonfield officials contacted 2 Hopkins Lane, LLC, the site redeveloper, concerning the leak. They learned that Master Consulting conducted excavations as part of Hopkins’ due diligence period, on or about Dec. 22.

Hopkins said the reason for the excavations was to determine the property’s soil infiltration rate in order to calculate stormwater recharge, according to officials.

A double ring infiltrometer test and a visual test pit to determine the seasonal high groundwater table were used in order to finalize a stormwater plan that would be submitted as part of NJDEP’s permitting process.

Borough officials visited the property on both Tuesday and Wednesday, and they are reviewing the engineering and environmental reports related to the property.

A remediation plan is being developed in accordance with NJDEP regulations, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing, officials said.