Tower Chemical Co.

Overview

Tower Chemical Co. is a 16-acre former chemical manufacturing facility located about 5 miles east of Clermont, Florida. It operated from 1957 to 1980 and left behind widespread contamination in soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater. EPA added it to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) in 1983. The site is now used commercially, with a recreational vehicle storage facility on the largest parcel and an unpaved parking area on smaller parcels. Two businesses currently operate there, employing 16 people.

EPA has identified over 80 contaminants of concern across the site. Groundwater contains organic chemicals including benzene, chloroform, and trichloroethylene, along with pesticides such as chlordane and DDT. Soil holds metals like arsenic, chromium, cadmium, lead, and nickel, plus organic compounds. Other contaminants found across soil and water include acetone, naphthalene, ethylbenzene, xylene, toxaphene, and various pesticide residues. These contaminants are present in four media: groundwater, soil, surface water, and sediment.

Cleanup has unfolded in phases across four operable units (OUs). In 1983, EPA removed about one million gallons of contaminated water and disposed of 3,800 cubic yards of contaminated soil and sediment. Between 2010 and 2011, crews excavated and disposed of 45,000 cubic yards of contaminated material from wetland areas and replanted vegetation. Starting in 2023, EPA applied in situ solidification and stabilization (ISS) treatment, mixing cement and slag directly into contaminated soil to prevent hazardous materials from spreading further. Remedial action for the main contamination area finished in spring 2025. A new phase of remedial action for the sitewide unit began July 17, 2025, with estimated completion between March and May 2028. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act helped fund the project, which cost roughly $19.9 million.

Human exposure to contaminants is currently under control, with no unacceptable exposure pathways identified across the site. However, contaminated groundwater is still migrating and has not yet stabilized. Eight nearby residences are connected to a public water line instead of potentially contaminated groundwater. EPA and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection are working to record restrictive covenants on affected parcels, restricting groundwater use until cleanup goals are met. Zoning rules prevent residential uses. Post-remedial sampling of surface water and groundwater is ongoing. The most recent Five-Year Review was completed in August 2023, and the next is expected between August and October 2028.

Community members can stay involved through public notices, public meetings, and interviews that EPA conducts throughout the cleanup process. Site records are available for in-person review at the Cooper Memorial Library in Clermont. The Community Involvement Coordinator and Remedial Project Manager assigned to the site handle questions.