EAST WHITELAND TWP, PA — State environmental officials have reached an agreement with four companies to fund and carry out the cleanup of contamination at the former Bishop Tube industrial site in Chester County, a property that has faced pollution concerns for decades.
What This Means for You
- Four companies will fund the cleanup of contamination at the former Bishop Tube site in East Whiteland Township.
- More than $11 million will be placed in a trust to support environmental remediation.
- Residents can submit public comments on the proposed settlement through May 14, 2026.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection said the agreement with Whittaker Corporation, Johnson Matthey Inc., Marcegaglia USA Inc., and Constitution Drive Partners L.P. could be filed as a proposed consent decree in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania following a public comment period.
A consent decree is a legally binding settlement filed in court that outlines how responsible parties must address environmental contamination.
Companies Agree to Fund Cleanup
Under the agreement, the companies will establish a qualified settlement trust to pay for the environmental remediation.
Johnson Matthey Inc. and Whittaker Corporation will jointly contribute $7,335,000. Constitution Drive Partners L.P. will contribute $1,250,000, and Marcegaglia USA Inc. will provide $400,000.
In addition, Johnson Matthey, Whittaker, and Marcegaglia have created a $2,500,000 reserve fund that could be used for additional response actions if needed during the cleanup.
Constitution Drive Partners will oversee the remediation work using funds from the trust and will be responsible for implementing the cleanup plan under DEP supervision.
“Responsible parties should be held accountable for cleaning up these old contaminated industrial sites in the Commonwealth,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley.
Contamination From Decades of Industrial Activity
The 13.7-acre Bishop Tube site along Malin Road was used for stainless steel tube manufacturing from the 1950s until operations ceased in 1999.
In 2000, DEP designated the property as a Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act site after investigators identified contamination in groundwater, soil, and surface water.
The primary contaminant is trichloroethene, commonly known as TCE, a chemical solvent historically used in manufacturing and metal processing. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies TCE as a known human carcinogen.
Other contaminants detected at the site include volatile organic compounds, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, and certain inorganic compounds.
Cleanup Plan and Oversight
DEP issued a formal cleanup decision in September 2022 outlining how the contamination must be addressed.
The remediation plan includes a combination of techniques such as in situ chemical treatment, soil mixing, engineering controls, institutional restrictions on land use, and long-term environmental monitoring.
“In situ” cleanup methods treat contamination directly in the ground rather than excavating soil or pumping groundwater to the surface.
The chemical treatment process injects oxidation or reduction agents into contaminated areas, triggering reactions that break down harmful chemicals into less harmful byproducts.
Water Protections Already Implemented
State officials said a nearby residential property with a contaminated private well was connected to a public water supply in 2023.
The connection was completed by Johnson Matthey and Whittaker to ensure the household had access to safe drinking water.
Public Comment Period
DEP will accept public comments on the proposed consent decree and settlement agreement for 60 days, ending May 14, 2026.
Copies of the proposed agreement and settlement documents are available on DEP’s Bishop Tube project page: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dep/dep-regions/southeast-regional-office/bishop-tube
Comments may be submitted by mail or email to DEP’s Southeast Regional Office and must include the subject line “Bishop Tube Consent Decree Public Comment.”
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