Washington Navy Yard sits in Washington, DC, and has been on the EPA's Superfund National Priority List since July 1998. Over 200 years of shipbuilding and ordnance production left the site contaminated. The Navy leads cleanup under a Federal Facilities Agreement signed in June 1999 by the EPA, the DC Department of Energy and Environment, and the Navy. Physical construction of cleanup work is not yet complete, and full completion is estimated between September and November 2028.
The site is divided into 16 operable units, each addressing a specific area or contamination type. Soil is the confirmed contaminated medium, with 15 identified contaminants of concern. These include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs, specifically Aroclor 1260), metals such as arsenic, chromium, chromium(VI), and lead, and several polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. Affected areas include the Heating Plant and Power Plant area, the Sitewide Fill area, and the Polishing and Plating Shop area. The Navy is also investigating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including PFOA and PFOS, which were used in firefighting foam at the site. Groundwater migration from PFAS contamination cannot yet be determined due to insufficient data.
EPA has signed Records of Decision for 12 operable units, with remedies ranging from no action to soil cleanup, land use controls, and long-term monitoring. The Anacostia River Sediment and Boat Maintenance Yard units are still in investigative phases, with records of decision estimated for 2027 and 2028. Land use controls are in place to prevent soil disturbance and restrict groundwater access. EPA assessments indicate human exposure to contamination is currently under control. A five-year review was completed in September 2021, with the next scheduled for 2026. The Navy updates a Site Management Plan annually to track progress across all operable units. A private developer has proposed a mixed-use commercial and residential project on part of the site, and EPA is reviewing a risk assessment for one area to determine if it can support unrestricted use.
Community members can participate through the Washington Navy Yard Restoration Advisory Board (RAB), which meets annually each September at the Earth Conservation Corps Pump House at Diamond Teague Park, 1520 First Street SE, Washington, DC. The EPA's Community Involvement Program supports ongoing dialogue between the EPA, Navy, and local residents throughout the cleanup process.
