Glass manufacturing ran at this Clarksburg, West Virginia site from around 1898 to 1989, and the Clarksburg Zinc Company operated there from 1911 to 1924. Those past operations left lead, arsenic, and zinc in onsite soils, groundwater, and sediments. A large zinc slag pile on the property is eroding into the West Fork River, which people use for recreation and fishing. The site sits along the river's bank, with a rails-to-trails bike path running along its western edge, making parts of the contaminated area publicly accessible. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in September 2016, making it eligible for federal Superfund cleanup.
EPA has taken several steps over the years. In 2010, the agency capped a contaminated area near the proposed bike path with asphalt to reduce exposure to elevated lead, zinc, and arsenic. Between 2011 and 2015, EPA found that arsenic, lead, and zinc are significantly elevated in West Fork River sediments next to the site. A formal Remedial Investigation, which maps the extent of contamination and evaluates cleanup options, began with Phase I sampling in September 2019 and continued through Phase II sampling from 2021 through 2025.
Cleanup is organized into two operable units (OUs). OU 01 covers onsite soils, and OU 02 covers residential properties. An EPA removal action for soils began in October 2024 and is scheduled to finish by October 2025. A feasibility study is planned for 2026 to 2027, and a Record of Decision, which locks in the chosen cleanup method, is estimated for 2028. For residential properties, removals are estimated to run from 2026 through 2027, with remedial design wrapping up by late 2028. EPA also sampled residential soils in the nearby North View neighborhood from 2023 through 2025. In October 2025, EPA released updated national guidance on addressing lead at contaminated sites, and Region 3 is now evaluating how that guidance applies here.
Groundwater migration control status is listed as insufficient data, meaning EPA has not yet determined whether contaminated groundwater movement is stabilized. Construction is not complete, and the site has not been deleted from the NPL. Community members can stay involved through EPA's Community Involvement Program. EPA mailed a factsheet to residents in July 2025 explaining the remedial investigation. Fact sheets and updates are available online. The Administrative Record for the site can be reviewed at the Clarksburg Harrison Public Library at 404 Pike Street or at EPA Region 3's Philadelphia office, with appointments made by calling (215) 814-2396.
