The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on February 27 a third and final wave of more than $1 billion for cleanup projects at more than 100 Superfund sites across the country.
The funding will launch new cleanup projects at 25 Superfund sites and continue cleanups at more than 85 other Superfund sites. The announcement is a significant one for groundwater professionals as 80 percent of Superfund sites involve groundwater contamination.
Thousands of contaminated sites exist nationally due to hazardous waste being dumped, left out in the open, or otherwise improperly managed. These sites can include toxic chemicals from manufacturing facilities, processing plants, landfills, and mining, and can harm the health and well-being of local communities.
“This final round of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has made it possible for the EPA to initiate clean ups at every single Superfund site where construction work is ready to begin,” EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe said. “This is an incredible milestone in our efforts to clean up and protect communities.”
Among the sites highlighted in the announcement were:
- The East Helena Superfund site in East Helena, Montana, where funds will advance critical cleanup of soil and groundwater contamination caused by more than a century of smelting lead, zinc, and other metals at the former ASARCO facility.
- The US Finishing/Cone Mills Superfund site in Greenville, South Carolina, where funds will support the completion of cleanup work at the site by treating contaminated groundwater, paving the way for the site’s return to productive use as mixed-use development through a public-private partnership with the state of South Carolina and landowners.
- The Standard Chlorine of Delaware Inc. Superfund site in New Castle, Delaware, where funds will go toward excavation and treatment of wetland soils and sediment contaminated through historical industrial activities and spills outside of the former chemical manufacturing plant.
“I’m pleased to see the EPA announce over $1 billion of funding for more than 100 of our nation’s most contaminated sites – helping communities across the country clean up legacy pollution and protect public health all while supporting local economies,” said Senator Tom Carper, chairman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee who received the 2021 NGWA Groundwater Protector Award.
Click here to read more about Superfund sites.