United Metals, Inc.

Overview

A battery reclaiming facility operated on this 180-acre property in Marianna, Florida from 1979 to 1991, processing lead from used batteries. The site was added to the Superfund National Priorities List on April 30, 2003. Woodlands and agricultural fields surround the property, and the nearest residence is less than a mile away.

EPA found 17 contaminants of concern in soil, sediment, and groundwater. These include metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, manganese, aluminum, antimony, iron, and vanadium. The pesticides aldrin and dieldrin, along with the volatile organic compound trichloroethene, were also detected in groundwater.

Cleanup has gone through several phases. EPA conducted an initial removal action between October 1995 and March 1996, removing drums and treating sulfuric acid sludge. A second removal took place from January to May 2006. A full remedial investigation ran from 2001 to 2006, and the final remedy was selected in September 2006. That remedy involved excavating contaminated soil and sediment, stabilizing and solidifying the material, and placing it in an on-site capped containment cell covered with two feet of clean soil. Buildings were demolished, and affected wetlands were restored. Remedial construction ran from July 2009 to October 2011. Groundwater is being addressed through monitored natural attenuation, meaning natural processes are allowed to reduce contamination over time, with ongoing sampling to track progress.

The site achieved sitewide ready for anticipated reuse status in September 2013. The most recent Five-Year Review, completed in August 2024, confirmed the remedy is protective of human health and the environment. The containment cap prevents direct contact with contaminants and limits leaching into groundwater. Groundwater contamination exists in the upper aquifer in the former operations area and a small area just north of the site boundary, but migration is stabilized. No contamination has been detected in off-site drinking water wells. Institutional controls restrict digging in contaminated areas and prohibit groundwater use without prior EPA and Florida Department of Environmental Protection approval. As of December 2024, one business was operating on the property. The next Five-Year Review is planned for 2029.

Community members can stay involved through public notices, public meetings, and interviews that EPA conducts as part of its community involvement program. Site records are available for public review at the Jackson County Public Library in Marianna.