Wade Dump

Wade Dump is a former industrial waste disposal site located on the western bank of the Delaware River, north of the Commodore Barry Bridge in Chester. The facility accumulated various types of industrial waste and contamination over several decades of operation.

Eastern Rubber Reclaiming operated the facility from the 1950s through the late 1970s, before Melvin Wade transformed it into an unregulated disposal area. The EPA designated the site as a Superfund remediation location in 1983, marking a turning point in addressing its contamination.

The Environmental Protection Agency designated Wade Dump as a Superfund cleanup site in 1983, demonstrating increased environmental awareness in American society.

The site is today accessible through part of Barry Bridge Park after undergoing extensive environmental remediation. Visitors should be aware that certain areas may still have restrictions or may not be fully open to the public.

A major fire broke out at the site in 1978 that burned for 20 hours, requiring emergency teams to battle toxic fumes from burning industrial chemicals. This incident revealed the extreme hazards posed by unregulated waste disposal operations.

GPS coordinates: 39.83430,-75.37760

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:07