ENVIROGEN INC
S-8, 1996-07-31
HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT
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<PAGE>
 
     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 1996

                                                      Registration No. 333-_____


                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, DC  20549
                      __________________________________

                                 F O R M  S-8
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                                ENVIROGEN, INC.
                                ---------------
              (Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter)


          Delaware                                        22-2899415
          --------                                        ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of                           (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization                             Identification No.)

                            4100 Quakerbridge Road
                           Lawrenceville, NJ  08648
                           ------------------------
              (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)



                     ENVIROGEN, INC. 1990 INCENTIVE STOCK
                  OPTION AND NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PLAN
                  ------------------------------------------
                           (Full title of the plan)

                         Harcharan S. Gill, President
                                Envirogen, Inc.
                            4100 Quakerbridge Road
                           Lawrenceville, NJ  08648
                           ------------------------
                    (Name and address of agent for service)

 Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service:  (609) 936-9300
                                                               --------------

                 Please send copies of all communications to:

                         John E. Stoddard III, Esquire
                            Drinker Biddle & Reath
                         Suite 400, 47 Hulfish Street
                           Princeton, NJ  08542-0627

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
                        -------------------------------

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                               Proposed maximum       Proposed maximum
  Title of securities to   Amount to be      offering price per     aggregate offering   Amount of
  be registered            registered (1)             share (2)              price (2)   registration fee (2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>               <C>                    <C>                  <C>
  Common Stock, $.01
  par value                1,300,000          270,600 @ $1.71                 $462,726   $1,218
                                                3,220 @ $1.72                    5,538
                                               15,000 @ $1.83                   27,450
                                                4,000 @ $2.31                    9,240
                                              130,000 @ $2.75                  357,500
                                              100,000 @ $2.82                  282,000
                                                4,000 @ $3.00                   12,000
                                               40,000 @ $3.22                  128,800
                                                1,500 @ $3.29                    4,935
                                                1,500 @ $3.50                    5,250
                                                7,250 @ $3.75                   27,188
                                               23,550 @ $3.81                   89,726
                                              253,000 @ $3.85                  974,050
                                              446,380 @ $2.57                1,147,197
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


(1)  Pursuant to Rule 416(a), this Registration Statement also registers such
     indeterminate number of additional shares as may become issuable under the
     Plan in connection with share splits, share dividends or similar
     transactions.

(2)  Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(h).  As to shares subject to outstanding
     but unexercised options, the price and fee are computed based upon the
     price at which such options may be exercised.  As to the remaining shares,
     the price and fee are computed based upon $2.57 per share, the average of
     the high and low sales prices of a share Common Stock of the Registrant on
     the Nasdaq Small Cap Market on July 29, 1996.
 
<PAGE>
 
     Pursuant to General Instruction E (Registration of Additional Securities)
to Form S-8, the Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the contents of its
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 33-54708) relating to its
1990 Incentive Stock Option and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, except for the
Items set forth below.

ITEM 5.   INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.
          -------------------------------------- 

     Morgan R. Jones, the Secretary of the Company, is a partner in Drinker
Biddle & Reath.  Drinker Biddle & Reath is counsel to the Company and assisted
the Company in the preparation of this registration statement.

ITEM 8.   EXHIBITS.
          -------- 

Exhibit 4      Envirogen, Inc. 1990 Incentive Stock Option and Non-Qualified 
               Stock Option Plan, as amended through May 23, 1996.

Exhibit 5      Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath, counsel to the Registrant.

Exhibit 23.1   Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. (Independent Accountants).

Exhibit 23.3   Consent of Drinker Biddle & Reath (included in Exhibit 5).

Exhibit 24     Powers of Attorney of:  James A. Courter, Robert F. Hendrickson,
               Robert F. Johnston, Seymour L. Meisel, Robert C. Miller and Peter
               J. Neff.
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, on July 31, 1996.


                                   ENVIROGEN, INC.


                                   By: /s/ Harcharan S. Gill
                                      -------------------------------------
                                      Harcharan S. Gill
                                      President


          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
     Signature                  Title                         Date
     ---------                  -----                         ----
<S>                             <C>                           <C>  
/s/ Harcharan S. Gill           President, Chief              July 31, 1996
- --------------------------      Executive Officer and 
    Harcharan S. Gill           Director (Principal   
                                Executive Officer      
                                
 
/s/ Patricia A. McQueary        Controller (Principal         July 31, 1996
- --------------------------      Financial and Accounting
    Patricia A. McQueary        Officer)                 
                                
 
         *                      Director                      July 31, 1996
- --------------------------
    James A. Courter
 
         *                      Director                      July 31, 1996 
- --------------------------                                                  
    Robert F. Hendrickson                                                   
                                                                            
         *                      Director                      July 31, 1996 
- --------------------------                                                  
    Robert F. Johnston                                                      
                                                                            
         *                      Director                      July 31, 1996 
- --------------------------                                                  
    Seymour L. Meisel                                                       
                                                                            
         *                      Director                      July 31, 1996 
- --------------------------                                                  
    Robert C. Miller                                                        
                                                                            
         *                      Director                      July 31, 1996  
- --------------------------
    Peter J. Neff

 * /s/ HARCHARAN S. GILL
- -------------------------
  Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
       Exhibit No.       Title
       -----------       -----
       <S>               <C> 
         4               Envirogen, Inc. 1990 Incentive Stock Option and
                         Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, as amended through May
                         23, 1996.

         5               Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath, counsel to the
                         Registrant.

         23.1            Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
                         (Independent Accountants)

         23.3            Consent of Drinker Biddle & Reath (included in Exhibit
                         5).

         24              Powers of Attorney of: James A. Courter, Robert F.
                         Hendrickson, Robert F. Johnston, Seymour L. Meisel,
                         Robert C. Miller and Peter J. Neff.
</TABLE> 

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT 4



                                ENVIROGEN, INC.

                        1990 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AND
                        NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PLAN
                        -------------------------------
                       (As amended through May 23, 1996)

     1.  PURPOSE.  This Envirogen, Inc. 1990 Incentive Stock Option and Non-
         -------                                                           
Qualified Stock Option Plan ("Plan") is intended to provide a means whereby
Envirogen, Inc. (the "Company") may, through the grant of incentive stock
options ("ISOs") to purchase common stock of the Company ("Common Stock") to
officers and other key employees ("Key Employees") and through the grant of
nonqualified stock options ("NQSOs" and, collectively with ISOs, "Options") to
Key Employees, directors, scientific advisory board members and consultants
(together with Key Employees, "Optionees"), attract and retain such Key
Employees and other Optionees and motivate such Key Employees and other
Optionees to exercise their best efforts on behalf of the Company and of any
related corporation ("Related Corporation").

     For purposes of the Plan, a Related Corporation of the Company shall mean
either a corporate subsidiary of the Company, as defined in section 424(f) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"), or the corporate parent
of the Company, as defined in section 424(e) of the Code.  Further, as used in
the Plan, (a) the term "incentive stock option" shall mean an option which, at
the time such option is granted under the Plan, qualifies as an ISO within the
meaning of section 422 of the Code and is designated as an ISO in the Option
Agreement (as hereinafter defined); and (b) the term "nonqualified stock option"
shall mean an option which, at the time such option is granted, does not qualify
as an ISO and is designated as an NQSO in the Option Agreement.

     2.  ADMINISTRATION.  The Plan shall be administered by the Company's Stock
         --------------                                                        
Option Committee ("Committee"), which shall consist of not less than three (3)
directors of the Company who shall be appointed by, and shall serve at the
pleasure of, the Company's Board of Directors ("Board").  Each member of such
Committee, while serving as such, shall be deemed to be acting in his capacity
as a director of the Company.  Except as otherwise permitted under section 16(b)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the rules and regulations
thereunder, no member of the Committee shall have been granted or awarded
Options pursuant to the Plan or equity securities (within the meaning of 17 CFR
(S) 240.16a-1(d)) pursuant to any other plan of the Company or of any of its
affiliates, as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, at any time
during the period commencing with the date which is one year prior to the date
his or her service on the Committee began and ending on the date which is one
day after the date on which his or her service on the Committee ceased.  Each
member of the Committee shall also be an "outside director" within the meaning
of Prop. Treas. Reg. (S) 1.162-27(e)(3) or any successor thereto.

     The Committee shall have full authority, subject to the terms of the Plan,
to select the Key Employees and other Optionees to be granted ISOs and NQSOs
under the Plan, to grant

                                      -1-
<PAGE>
 
options on behalf of the Company and to set the date of grant and the other
terms of such Options.  The Committee also shall have the authority to establish
such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan,
for the proper administration of the Plan, and to amend, modify or rescind any
such rules and regulations, and to make such determinations and interpretations
under, or in connection with, the Plan, as it deems necessary or advisable.  All
such rules, regulations, determinations and interpretations shall be binding and
conclusive upon the Company, its stockholders and all employees, and upon their
respective legal representatives, beneficiaries, successors and assigns and upon
all other persons claiming under or through any of them.

     3.  ELIGIBILITY.  The class of employees who shall be eligible to receive
         -----------                                                          
ISOs under the Plan and the class of persons who shall be eligible to receive
NQSOs under the Plan shall be, respectively, the Key Employees of the Company
and/or a Related Corporation and the other Optionees employed by or otherwise
associated with the Company and/or of a Related Corporation (but specifically
excluding Robert F. Johnston, Jeffrey J. Collinson and John Simon).  More than
one Option may be granted to an Optionee under the Plan.

     4.  STOCK.  Options may be granted under the Plan to purchase up to a
         -----                                                            
maximum of two million (2,000,000) shares of the Company's Common Stock, par
value $.01 per share, subject to adjustment as hereinafter provided; provided,
however that no Key Employee shall receive Options for more than five hundred
thousand (500,000) shares of the Company's Common Stock.  Shares issuable under
the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares or reacquired shares, and the
Company may purchase shares required for this purpose, from time to time, if it
deems such purchase to be advisable.

     If any Option granted under the Plan expires or otherwise terminates for
any reason whatever (including, without limitation, the Optionee's surrender
thereof) without having been exercised, the shares subject to the unexercised
portion of such Option shall continue to be available for the granting of
Options under the Plan as fully as if such shares had never been subject to an
Option; provided, however, that (a) if an Option is cancelled, the cancelled
Option is counted against the maximum number of shares for which Options may be
granted to a Key Employee, and (b) if the Option price is reduced after the date
of grant, the transaction is treated as a cancellation of an Option and the
grant of a new Option for purposes of counting the maximum number of shares for
which Options may be granted to a Key Employee.

     5.  GRANTING OF OPTIONS.  From time to time until the expiration or earlier
         -------------------                                                    
suspension or discontinuance of the Plan, the Committee may, on behalf of the
Company, grant to Optionees under the Plan such Options as it determines are
warranted; provided, however, that grants of ISOs and NQSOs shall be separate
and not in tandem.  The granting of an Option under the Plan shall not be deemed
either to entitle the Optionee to, or to disqualify the Optionee from, any
participation in any other grant of Options under the Plan.  In making any
determination as to whether an Optionee shall be granted an Option and as to the
number of shares to be covered by such Option, the Committee shall take into
account the duties of the Optionee, his present and potential contributions to
the success of the Company or a Related

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
Corporation, and such other factors as the Committee shall deem relevant in
accomplishing the purposes of the Plan.  Moreover, the Committee may provide in
the Option that said Option may be exercised only if certain conditions, as
determined by the Committee, are fulfilled.

     6.  ANNUAL LIMIT.
         ------------ 

         a.         ISOs.
                    ---- 

        The aggregate fair market value (determined as of the time the ISO is
granted) of the Common Stock with respect to which ISOs are exercisable for the
first time by a Key Employee during any calendar year (under this Plan and any
other ISO plan of the Company or a Related Corporation) shall not exceed one
hundred thousand dollars ($100,000).

         b.         NQSOs.
                    ----- 

         The annual limits set forth above for ISOs shall not apply to NQSOs.

     7.  TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.  The Options granted pursuant to the
         -------------------------------                                      
Plan shall expressly specify whether they are ISOs or NQSOs.  In addition, the
Options granted pursuant to the Plan shall include expressly or by reference the
following terms and conditions, as well as such other provisions not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan and, for ISOs granted under this
Plan, the provisions of section 422(b) of the Code, as the Committee shall deem
desirable:

         a.         Number of Shares.
                    ---------------- 

         A statement of the number of shares to which the Option pertains.

         b.         Price.
                    ----- 

         A statement of the Option price which shall be determined and fixed by
the Committee in its discretion but, in the case of an ISO, shall not be less
than the higher of one hundred percent (100%) (one hundred ten percent (110%) in
the case of more than ten percent (10%) stockholders as discussed in (j) below)
of the fair market value of the optioned shares of Common Stock, or the par
value thereof, on the date the ISO is granted and, in the case of an NQSO, shall
not be less than the higher of seventy-five percent (75%) of the fair market
value of the optioned shares of Common Stock, or the par value thereof, on the
date the NQSO is granted.

         The fair market value of the optioned shares of Common Stock shall be
arrived at by a good faith determination of the Committee and shall be (i) the
mean between the highest and lowest quoted selling price, if there is a market
for the Common Stock on a registered securities exchange or in an over the
counter market, on the date of grant, or (ii) the weighted average of the means
between the highest and lowest sales on the nearest date before and the nearest
date

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
after the date of grant, if there are no sales on the date of grant but there
are sales on dates within a reasonable period both before and after the date of
grant, or (iii) the means between the bid and asked prices, as reported by the
National Quotation Bureau on the date of grant, if actual sales are not
available during a reasonable period beginning before and ending after the date
of grant, or (iv) such other method of determining fair market value as shall be
authorized by the Code, or the rules or regulations thereunder, and adopted by
the Committee.  Where the fair market value of the optioned shares of Common
Stock is determined under (ii) above, the average of the means between the
highest and lowest sales on the nearest date before and the nearest date after
the date of grant is to be weighted inversely by the respective numbers of
trading days between the date of grant and such sales dates, in accordance with
Treas. Reg. (S) 20.2031-2(b)(1).

         c.         Term.
                    ---- 

         Subject to earlier termination as provided in Subsections (e), (f), (g)
and (j) below and in Section 9 hereof, the term of each Option shall be not more
than ten (10) years (five (5) years in the case of ISOs granted to more than ten
percent (10%) stockholders as discussed in (j) below) from the date of grant.

         d.         Exercise.
                    -------- 

         Options shall be exercisable in such installments and on such dates as
the Committee may specify, provided that (i) unless approved by the Stock Option
Committee, in no event shall any Option become exercisable at a rate in excess
of 20% per annum from the date of grant (except that all outstanding Options
shall be immediately exercisable in the case of merger, consolidation, or other
business combination involving the sale or transfer of all (or substantially
all) of the assets of the Company, or other business combination involving the
sale or transfer of all (or substantially all) of the capital stock of the
Company in which the Company is not the surviving entity, or, if it is the
surviving entity, either (a) does not survive as an operating ongoing concern in
substantially the same line of business, or (b) is controlled by persons or
entities previously unaffiliated with the Company), (ii) in the case of new
Options granted to an Optionee in replacement for options (whether granted under
the Plan or otherwise) held by the Optionee, the new Options may be made
exercisable, if so determined by the Committee, in its discretion, at the
earliest date the replaced options were exercisable, but not earlier than three
(3) months from the date of grant of the new Options, and (iii) the Committee
may accelerate the exercise date of any outstanding Options, in its discretion,
if it deems such acceleration to be desirable.  Any Option shares, the right to
the purchase of which has accrued, may be purchased at any time up to the
expiration or termination of the Option.  Exercisable Options may be exercised,
in whole or in part, from time to time by giving written notice of exercise to
the Company at its principal office, specifying the number of shares to be
purchased and accompanied by payment in full of the aggregate Option price for
such shares.  Only full shares shall be issued under the Plan, and any
fractional share which might otherwise be issuable upon exercise of an Option
granted hereunder shall be forfeited.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
         The Option price shall be payable (i) in cash or its equivalent, (ii)
in the discretion of the Committee, in Company Common Stock previously acquired
by the Optionee, provided that if such shares of Common Stock were acquired
through exercise of an ISO and are used to pay the Option price of an ISO, such
shares have been held by the Key Employee for a period of not less than the
holding period described in section 422(a)(1) of the Code on the date of
exercise, or if such shares of Common Stock were acquired through exercise of an
NQSO or of an option under a similar plan, such shares have been held by the
Optionee for a period of more than one (1) year on the date of exercise, (iii)
in the discretion of the Committee, in any combination of (i) and (ii) above, or
(iv) in the discretion of the Committee, by delivering a properly executed
notice of exercise of the Option to the Company and a broker, with irrevocable
instructions to the broker promptly to deliver to the Company the amount of sale
or loan proceeds necessary to pay the exercise price of the Option, provided
that the payment procedure specified in this clause (iv) shall not be available
if such payment procedure would result in a violation of section 16(b) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

         In the event such Option price is paid, in whole or in part, with
shares of Common Stock, the portion of the Option price so paid shall be equal
to the "fair market value" on the date of tender, as such "fair market value" is
determined in Subsection (b) above, of the Common Stock so tendered in payment
of such Option price.

         e.         Termination of Employment.
                    ------------------------- 

         If an Optionee's employment by the Company (and Related Corporations)
is terminated by either party prior to the expiration date fixed for this Option
for any reason other than death or disability, such Option may be exercised, to
the extent of the number of shares with respect to which the Optionee could have
exercised it on the date of such termination, by the Optionee at any time prior
to the earlier of (i) the expiration date specified in such option, or (ii) 30
days after the date of the Optionee's termination of employment, or (iii) an
accelerated termination date of the option determined by the Committee, in its
discretion, except that such accelerated termination date shall not be earlier
than the date of the Optionee's termination of employment.

         For purposes of this Plan, in the case of an Optionee who is a director
or a scientific advisory board member of the Company or a Related Corporation
but who is not an employee of the Company or a Related Corporation, such
Optionee's "employment" with the Company and all related Corporations shall be
deemed to terminate when such Optionee ceases to be a director or a scientific
board member of the Company and all Related Corporations, and is no longer
providing ongoing consulting or advisory services to the Company and all Related
Corporations.  For purposes of this Plan, in the case of an Optionee who is a
consultant to the Company or a Related Corporation, such Optionee's "employment"
with the Company and all Related Corporations shall be deemed to terminate when
such Optionee is no longer providing ongoing consulting or advisory services to
the Company and all Related Corporations.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
         f.         Exercise upon Disability of Optionee.
                    ------------------------------------ 

         If an Optionee shall become disabled (within the meaning of section
22(e)(3) of the Code) during his employment and, prior to the expiration date
fixed for his Option, his employment is terminated as a consequence of such
disability, such Option may be exercised, to the extent of the number of shares
with respect to which the Optionee could have exercised it on the date of such
termination, or to any greater extent permitted by the Committee, by the
Optionee at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration date specified
in such Option, or (ii) an accelerated termination date determined by the
Committee, in its discretion, except that such accelerated termination date
shall not be earlier than the date of the Optionee's termination of employment
by reason of disability, and in the case of ISOs, such date shall not be later
than one (1) year after such termination of employment.  In the event of the
Optionee's legal disability, such Option may be so exercised by the Optionee's
legal representative.

         g.         Exercise upon Death of Optionee.
                    ------------------------------- 

         If an Optionee shall die during his employment and prior to the
expiration date fixed for his Option, or if an Optionee whose employment is
terminated by reason of Optionee's disability (as described in Subsection (f)
above) shall die following his termination of employment but prior to the
earliest of (i) the expiration date fixed for his Option, or (ii) the expiration
of the period determined under Subsection (f) above, or (iii) in the case of an
ISO, three (3) months following termination of employment, such Option may be
exercised, to the extent of the number of shares with respect to which the
Optionee could have exercised it on the date of his death, or to any greater
extent permitted by the Committee, by the Optionee's estate, personal
representative or beneficiary who acquired the right to exercise such option by
bequest or inheritance or by reason of the death of the Optionee, at any time
prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration date specified in such Option or (ii)
an accelerated termination date determined by the Committee, in its discretion,
except that such accelerated termination date shall not be later than one (1)
year after the date of death.

         h.         Non-Transferability.
                    ------------------- 

         No Option shall be assignable or transferable by the Optionee otherwise
than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and during the lifetime
of the Optionee, the Option shall be exercisable only by him or by his guardian
or legal representative.  If the Optionee is married at the time of exercise and
if the Optionee so requests at the time of exercise, the certificate or
certificates shall be registered in the name of the Optionee and the Optionee's
spouse, jointly, with right of survivorship.

         i.         Rights as a Stockholder.
                    ----------------------- 

         An Optionee shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any
shares covered by his Option until the issuance of a stock certificate to him
for such shares.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
         j.         Ten Percent Stockholder.
                    ----------------------- 

         If the Key Employee owns more than ten percent (10%) of the total
combined voting power of all shares of stock of the Company or of a Related
Corporation at the time an ISO is granted to him, the Option price for the ISO
shall be not less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the fair market value
of the optioned shares of Common Stock on the date the ISO is granted, and such
ISO, by its terms, shall not be exercisable after the expiration of five (5)
years from the date the ISO is granted.  The conditions set forth in this
Subsection (j) shall not apply to NQSOs.

         k.         Listing and Restriction of Shares.
                    --------------------------------- 

         Each Option shall be subject to the requirement that, if at any time
the Committee shall determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration
or qualifications of the shares covered thereby upon any securities exchange or
under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental
regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection
with, the granting of such Option or the purchase of shares thereunder, or that
action by the Company or by the Optionee should be taken in order to obtain an
exemption for any such requirement, no such Option may be exercised, in whole or
in part, unless and until such action shall have been effected, obtained, or
taken under conditions acceptable to the Committee. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, each Optionee or his legal representative or
beneficiary may also be required to give satisfactory assurance that shares
purchased upon exercise of an Option are being purchased for investment and not
with a view to distribution, and certificates representing such shares may be
legended accordingly.

         l.         Withholding and Use of Shares to Satisfy Tax Obligations.
                    -------------------------------------------------------- 

         The obligation of the Company to deliver shares of Common Stock upon
the exercise of any Option shall be subject to applicable federal, state and
local tax withholding requirements.

         If the exercise of any Option is subject to the withholding
requirements of applicable federal tax laws, the Committee, in its discretion
(and subject to such withholding rules ("Withholding Rules") as shall be adopted
by the Committee), may permit the Optionee to satisfy the federal withholding
tax, in whole or in part, by electing to have the Company withhold (or by
returning to the Company) shares of Common Stock, which shares shall be valued,
for this purpose, at their fair market value on the date the amount of tax
required to be withheld is determined (the "Determination Date"); provided,
however, that with respect to Optionees who are subject to Section 16 of the
Exchange Act, all minimum federal, state and local taxes required to be withheld
automatically shall be satisfied by withholding Common Stock. Such election must
be made in compliance with and subject to the Withholding Rules, and the Company
may not withhold shares in excess of the number necessary to satisfy the minimum
federal income tax withholding requirements. In the event shares of Common Stock
acquired under the exercise of an ISO are used to satisfy such withholding
requirement, such shares of Common Stock must have been held by the Key Employee
for a period of not less than 

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
the holding period described in section 422(a)(1) of the Code on the
Determination Date.  In the event shares of Common Stock acquired through
exercise of an NQSO or of an option under a similar plan are used to satisfy
such withholding requirements, such shares must have been held by the Optionee
for a period of more than one (1) year on the Determination Date.

     8.  OPTION INSTRUMENTS - OTHER PROVISIONS.  Options granted under the Plan
         -------------------------------------                                 
shall be evidenced by written documents ("Option Agreements") in such form as
the Committee shall, from time to time, approve, which Option Agreements shall
contain such provisions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan for
NQSOs granted pursuant to the Plan, and such conditions, not inconsistent with
the provisions of the Plan and section 422(b) of the Code for ISOs granted
pursuant to the Plan, as the Committee shall deem advisable, and which Option
Agreements shall specify whether the Option is an ISO or NQSO.  Each Optionee
shall enter into, and be bound by, such Option Agreements, as soon as
practicable after the grant of an Option.

     9.  CAPITAL ADJUSTMENTS.  The number of shares which may be issued under
         -------------------                                                 
the Plan, as stated in Section 4 hereof, and the maximum number of shares with
respect to which options may be granted to any Key Employee under the Plan as
stated in Section 4 hereof, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of
outstanding Options under the Plan (as well as the Option price per share under
such outstanding Options), shall, subject to the provisions of section 424(a) of
the Code, be proportionately adjusted, as may be deemed appropriate by the
Committee, to reflect any stock dividend, stock split, share combination, or
similar change in the capitalization of the Company.

     10.            AMENDMENT OR DISCONTINUANCE OF THE PLAN.
                    --------------------------------------- 

     (a)            GENERAL.  The Board from time to time may suspend or
                    -------                     
discontinue the Plan or amend it in any respect whatsoever, except that the
following amendments shall require stockholder approval (given in the manner set
forth in Section 10(b) below):

       (i)  With respect to Options, any amendment which would (A) materially
     increase the benefits accruing to directors and officers, within the
     meaning of 17 CFR (S) 240.16a-1(f) (hereinafter referred to as "Officers"),
     under the Plan, (B) materially increase the number of shares of Common
     Stock which may be issued to directors and Officers under the Plan, or (C)
     materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for directors and
     Officers to participate in the Plan;

       (ii)  With respect to ISOs, any amendment which would:  (A) change the
     class of employees eligible to participate in the Plan, (B) except as
     permitted under Section 9 hereof, increase the maximum number of shares of
     Common Stock with respect to which ISOs may be granted under the Plan, or
     (C) extend the duration of the Plan under Section 15 hereof with respect to
     any ISOs granted hereunder; and

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
       (iii)  With respect to Options, any amendment which would require
     stockholder approval pursuant to Prop. Treas. Reg. (S) 1.162-27(e)(4)(vi)
     or any successor thereto.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such suspension, discontinuance or amendment
shall materially impair the rights of any holder of an outstanding Option
without the consent of such holder.

     (b) STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS.  Stockholder approval must meet the
         ---------------------------------                                     
following requirements:

         (i)  The approval of stockholders must be by a majority of the
     outstanding shares of Common Stock present, or represented, and entitled to
     vote at a meeting duly held in accordance with the applicable laws of the
     State of Delaware; and

         (ii)  The approval of stockholders must comply with all applicable
     provisions of the corporate charter, bylaws, and applicable state law
     prescribing the method and degree of stockholder approval required for the
     issuance of corporate stock or options.  If the applicable state law does
     not prescribe a method and degree of stockholder approval in such case, the
     approval of stockholders must be effected:

                    (A)  By a method and in a degree that would be treated as
       adequate under applicable state law in the case of an action requiring
       stockholder approval (i.e., an action on which stockholders would be
                             ---                                           
       entitled to vote if the action were taken at a duly held stockholders'
       meeting); or

                    (B)  By a majority of the votes cast at a duly held
       stockholders' meeting at which a quorum representing a majority of all
       outstanding voting stock is, either in person or by proxy, present and
       voting on the plan.

     11.            RIGHTS.  Neither the adoption of the Plan nor any action of
                    ------                                                     
the Board or the Committee shall be deemed to give any individual any right to
be granted an Option, or any other right hereunder, unless and until the
Committee shall have granted such individual an Option, and then his rights
shall be only such as are provided by the Option Agreement.

     Any Option under the Plan shall not entitle the holder thereof to any
rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise of such Option and
the issuance of the shares pursuant thereto.  Further, notwithstanding any
provisions of the Plan or the Option Agreement with an Optionee, the Company
shall have the right, in its discretion, to retire an Optionee at any time in
accordance with its policies or otherwise to terminate his employment at any
time in accordance with its policies for any reason whatsoever.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
     12.            APPLICATION OF FUNDS.  The proceeds received by the Company
                    --------------------                                       
from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to Options granted under the Plan shall
be used for general corporate purposes.  Any cash received in payment for shares
upon exercise of an Option to purchase Common Stock shall be added to the
general funds of the Company and shall be used for its corporate purposes.  Any
Common Stock received in payment for shares upon exercise of an Option to
purchase Common Stock shall become treasury stock.

     13.            EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Plan shall become effective on April
                    --------------                                            
20, 1990 (the date the Plan was adopted by the Board and by the stockholders).

     14.            NO OBLIGATION TO EXERCISE OPTION.  The granting of an Option
                    --------------------------------                            
shall impose no obligation upon an Optionee to exercise such Option.

     15.            TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.  Unless earlier terminated as
                    -----------------------                               
provided in the Plan, the Plan and all authority granted hereunder shall
terminate absolutely at 12:00 midnight on March 31, 2000, which date is within
ten (10) years after the date the Plan was adopted by the Board, and no Options
hereunder shall be granted thereafter.  Nothing contained in this Section 15,
however, shall terminate or affect the continued existence of rights created
under Options issued hereunder and outstanding on March 31, 2000, which by their
terms extend beyond such date.

     16.            GOVERNING LAW.  With respect to any ISOs granted pursuant to
                    -------------                                               
the Plan and the Option Agreements thereunder, the Plan, such Option Agreements
and any ISOs granted pursuant thereto shall be governed by the applicable Code
provisions to the maximum extent possible.  Otherwise, the laws of the State of
Delaware shall govern the operation of, and the rights of Optionees under, the
Plan, the Option Agreements and any Options granted thereunder.

                                      -10-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT 5



                                 July 31, 1996


Envirogen, Inc.
4100 Quakerbridge Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

               RE:  ENVIROGEN, INC.
                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                    REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
                    ----------------------------------

Gentlemen:

          We have acted as counsel to Envirogen, Inc. (the "Company") in
connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the
Securities Act of 1993 (the "Registration Statement") relating to 1,300,000
shares of Common Stock of the Company, par value $.01 per share (the "Shares"),
issuable upon the exercise of options granted under the Company's 1990 Incentive
Stock Option and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the "Plan").

          In this connection, we have reviewed originals or copies, certified or
otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation, its By-Laws, resolutions of its Board of Directors and
stockholders, the Plan, and such other documents and corporate records as we
have deemed appropriate in the circumstances.

          Based upon the foregoing and consideration of such questions of law as
we have deemed relevant, we are of the opinion that the issuance of the Shares
by the Company upon the exercise of stock options properly granted under the
Plan has been duly authorized by the necessary corporate action of the Board of
Directors and stockholders of the Company, and such Shares, upon exercise of
such options and payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Plan, will
be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable by the Company.

          The opinions expressed herein are limited to the federal laws of the
United States, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the laws
of the State of New Jersey.

          We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. This does not constitute a consent under Section 7 of
the Securities Act of 1933 since we have
<PAGE>
 
not certified any part of such Registration Statement and do not otherwise come
within the categories of persons whose consent is required under said Section 7
or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                   Very truly yours,



                                   DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH

JES/SAZ

<PAGE>
   
                                                                    Exhibit 23.1


                      Consent of Independent Accountants


We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on 
Form S-8 of our report dated February 16, 1996, except for the third paragraph 
of Note 1, as to which the date is March 26, 1996, on our audits of the 
financial statements and financial statement schedule of Envirogen, Inc.




                                                        Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.


Princeton, New Jersey
July 30, 1996


<PAGE>
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT 24


                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned does hereby constitute
and appoint Harcharan S. Gill and Patricia McQueary and each of them, the
undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned's
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to do any all acts, including
the execution of documents, which said attorneys, may deem necessary or
advisable to enable Envirogen, Inc. (the "Company") to comply with the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and the rules,
regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in
connection with the registration under the Securities Act of the Common Stock of
the Company to be offered pursuant to the Company's  1990 Incentive Stock Option
and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, including but not limited to the power and
authority to sign in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities in which the signature of the undersigned would be appropriate, a
registration statement on Form S-8 and any and all post-effective amendments
thereto for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act with respect to such securities, and generally to do and perform
all things necessary to be done in the premises as fully and effectually in all
respects as the undersigned could do if personally present.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand and
seal this 23rd day of May, 1996.



                    /s/ James A. Courter
                    ------------------------------------
 
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned does hereby constitute
and appoint Harcharan S. Gill and Patricia McQueary and each of them, the
undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned's
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to do any all acts, including
the execution of documents, which said attorneys, may deem necessary or
advisable to enable Envirogen, Inc. (the "Company") to comply with the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and the rules,
regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in
connection with the registration under the Securities Act of the Common Stock of
the Company to be offered pursuant to the Company's 1990 Incentive Stock Option
and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, including but not limited to the power and
authority to sign in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities in which the signature of the undersigned would be appropriate, a
registration statement on Form S-8 and any and all post-effective amendments
thereto for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act with respect to such securities, and generally to do and perform
all things necessary to be done in the premises as fully and effectually in all
respects as the undersigned could do if personally present.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand and
seal this 23rd day of May, 1996.



                    /s/ Robert F. Hendrickson
                    ------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned does hereby constitute
and appoint Harcharan S. Gill and Patricia McQueary and each of them, the
undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned's
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to do any all acts, including
the execution of documents, which said attorneys, may deem necessary or
advisable to enable Envirogen, Inc. (the "Company") to comply with the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and the rules,
regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in
connection with the registration under the Securities Act of the Common Stock of
the Company to be offered pursuant to the Company's 1990 Incentive Stock Option
and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, including but not limited to the power and
authority to sign in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities in which the signature of the undersigned would be appropriate, a
registration statement on Form S-8 and any and all post-effective amendments
thereto for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act with respect to such securities, and generally to do and perform
all things necessary to be done in the premises as fully and effectually in all
respects as the undersigned could do if personally present.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand and
seal this 23rd day of May, 1996.



                    /s/ Robert F. Johnston
                    ------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned does hereby constitute
and appoint Harcharan S. Gill and Patricia McQueary and each of them, the
undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned's
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to do any all acts, including
the execution of documents, which said attorneys, may deem necessary or
advisable to enable Envirogen, Inc. (the "Company") to comply with the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and the rules,
regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in
connection with the registration under the Securities Act of the Common Stock of
the Company to be offered pursuant to the Company's 1990 Incentive Stock Option
and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, including but not limited to the power and
authority to sign in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities in which the signature of the undersigned would be appropriate, a
registration statement on Form S-8 and any and all post-effective amendments
thereto for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act with respect to such securities, and generally to do and perform
all things necessary to be done in the premises as fully and effectually in all
respects as the undersigned could do if personally present.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand and
seal this 23rd day of May, 1996.



                    /s/ Seymour L. Meisel
                    ------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned does hereby constitute
and appoint Harcharan S. Gill and Patricia McQueary and each of them, the
undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned's
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to do any all acts, including
the execution of documents, which said attorneys, may deem necessary or
advisable to enable Envirogen, Inc. (the "Company") to comply with the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and the rules,
regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in
connection with the registration under the Securities Act of the Common Stock of
the Company to be offered pursuant to the Company's 1990 Incentive Stock Option
and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, including but not limited to the power and
authority to sign in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities in which the signature of the undersigned would be appropriate, a
registration statement on Form S-8 and any and all post-effective amendments
thereto for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act with respect to such securities, and generally to do and perform
all things necessary to be done in the premises as fully and effectually in all
respects as the undersigned could do if personally present.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand and
seal this 23rd day of May, 1996.



                    /s/ Robert C. Miller
                    ------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned does hereby constitute
and appoint Harcharan S. Gill and Patricia McQueary and each of them, the
undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned's
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to do any all acts, including
the execution of documents, which said attorneys, may deem necessary or
advisable to enable Envirogen, Inc. (the "Company") to comply with the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and the rules,
regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in
connection with the registration under the Securities Act of the Common Stock of
the Company to be offered pursuant to the Company's 1990 Incentive Stock Option
and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, including but not limited to the power and
authority to sign in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all
capacities in which the signature of the undersigned would be appropriate, a
registration statement on Form S-8 and any and all post-effective amendments
thereto for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act with respect to such securities, and generally to do and perform
all things necessary to be done in the premises as fully and effectually in all
respects as the undersigned could do if personally present.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand and
seal this 24th day of July, 1996.



                    /s/ Peter J. Neff
                    ------------------------------------


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