Landia Chemical Company

Overview

Landia Chemical Company sits on 13 acres in Lakeland, Florida, covering two former industrial properties that operated as pesticide and fertilizer blending facilities starting in the 1930s and 1940s. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List in 2000 after finding contamination in soil, groundwater, and sediment. The site is divided into operable units targeting soil and groundwater separately.

EPA identified 31 contaminants of concern, including pesticides such as aldrin, chlordane, dieldrin, heptachlor, and DDT compounds, as well as heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and lead, and other chemicals including xylene, chloromethane, and dioxins. These were found primarily in soil and groundwater in the first operable unit.

Cleanup has moved in stages. A time-critical removal action in 2001 pulled 4,250 tons of contaminated soil from the site and nearby properties. Formal soil remediation began in September 2010 and wrapped up by April 2012. Workers excavated contaminated soil, applied limestone to reduce acidity, and capped the area with impermeable material and native vegetation. More than 1,000 plants now grow on the site, helping remove contaminants through phytoremediation. Responsible parties leading this work include PCS Joint Venture, Ltd., BASF Corporation, and The Williams Companies, all operating under EPA and Florida Department of Environmental Protection oversight. In 2014, EPA's Region 4 gave these parties an Excellence in Site Reuse award.

Groundwater cleanup is still in progress. Nitrate levels are declining naturally following the removal of contaminated soil, so EPA postponed an interim groundwater remedy to let that natural reduction continue. A final groundwater remedy is estimated to be selected between March and May 2028. Residents in the area drink from the City of Lakeland's public water supply, so no one is currently exposed to contaminated groundwater. The Southwest Florida Water Management District has designated the area a groundwater delineation zone, meaning all new wells require District approval. Restrictive covenants recorded in Polk County in 2016 limit future land use to commercial or industrial purposes. One business currently operates on-site, employing 16 people and generating roughly $10.14 million in annual sales.

The most recent Five-Year Review was completed in August 2022, with the next estimated for August through October 2027. Community members can follow site progress through public meetings, public notices, and interviews conducted by EPA. Records are available at the Lakeland Public Library at 100 Lake Morton Drive.