EPA Announces Updated Cleanup Plan for Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund Site in Woodstock, Connecticut
BOSTON (Aug. 11, 2025) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an updated cleanup plan for the Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund site in Woodstock, Connecticut. The revised plan outlines new actions to clean up soil and groundwater polluted by disposal activities that took place here between 1952 and 1979.
"This updated cleanup plan continues the important work of cleaning up the Linemaster Superfund site," said EPA New England Regional Administrator Mark Sanborn. "This work exemplifies EPA's core mission to protect human health and the environment and ensure clean air, land and water for every American."
The new cleanup work will take two years to design and complete. EPA held a public comment period and public meetings to gather input on the agency's proposed changes to the original cleanup plan. The estimated cost is approximately $11.4 million and includes construction, operation and maintenance, and long-term monitoring.
What's included in the updated cleanup plan?
- Transforming groundwater and/or soil contaminants into less harmful chemicals through chemical oxidation injections in the contamination source area;
- Installing new wells to collect contaminated groundwater and prevent it from spreading;
- Monitoring wells to ensure treatments continue to be effective;
- Continuing and expanding existing land use restrictions; and
- Reviewing the cleanup's effectiveness every five years.
Site Background
The Linemaster Switch Corp. site covers 92 acres in Woodstock, Connecticut, and is still used for manufacturing electrical foot switches and wiring. Waste disposal practices between 1952 to 1979 caused chemicals to contaminate the soil and groundwater. The site was added to the Superfund National Priorities List in 1990, and a cleanup plan was selected for the site in 1993.
Since then, cleanup activities have included the installation of soil and groundwater treatment systems. Although levels of contamination are decreasing, significant impacts to the soil and groundwater remain. EPA has proposed and finalized an amendment to the 1993 original cleanup plan with new actions to better address contamination.
For More information
Visit EPA's Linemaster Switch Superfund Site webpage or visit Woodstock's Town Hall for help accessing EPA's online resources.
View documents in person at EPA's records center:
5 Post Office Square, Boston, Mass., open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Please call (617) 918-1440 to make an appointment.
To receive a copy of the updated plan by mail, contact Liz McCarthy at McCarthy.Elizabeth@epa.gov or 617-918-1136.