The Wiley’s Bridge Lead Site (Site), located in along Wiley’s Ln., and on the campground, formerly known as the Blue Falls Grove Campground, on the banks of, and possibly into the Maiden Creek, is owned by the City of Reading, and the private owner(s) of the campground Property. The suspected area of concern, owned by the City of Reading is an area of approximately a quarter, to a half mile along a stretch of Wiley’s Ln., on the bank of, and possibly into the Maiden Creek. Similarly, the initial area of concern on the campground property extends from Wiley’s Bridge, east along the bank of the Maiden Creek, for approximately one half mile. During Site visits, adults were observed fishing, and both adults and children have been observed swimming in affected area of Maiden Creek. The camp ground property (formerly Blue Falls Grove) an active 38 acre RV, camp ground, fair ground, picnic area, and event (weddings, family/company events and picnics) destination. Families, including children, play, fish, and swim in the area of concern, and are potentially exposed to unsafe lead concentrations in the surface soil and debris at the Site. The Site is surrounded by rural residential property, and approximately 5,000 acres owned by the City of Reading. The Reading property consists of mostly wooded areas, with some hiking trails, and the Ontelaunee Reservoir, which serves as the public water supply for the City of Reading, and some surrounding areas.
The area of concern to the west of Wiley’s Bridge was investigated by the City of Reading in the early 1990’s. The results of the investigation indicated the presence of elevated lead concentrations and battery fragments in the surface and subsurface soils. It is not clear why the investigation did not continue, and necessary remedial action did not occur.
