The Pickettville Road Landfill covers 52 acres in Jacksonville, Florida. The City of Jacksonville operated a waste disposal facility there from the 1940s to 1977, accepting municipal waste through 1970 and then hazardous waste only until closure. The EPA placed the site on the National Priorities List in 1983 because past operations contaminated both soil and groundwater.
The EPA has identified 34 contaminants of concern across groundwater, soil, and sediment. Heavy metals include arsenic, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium, and barium. Organic chemicals include benzene, toluene, vinyl chloride, acetone, dichloromethane, and bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, among other solvents and compounds. The contamination threatens local drinking water sources and two nearby creeks that receive site runoff and discharge from the affected aquifer.
Cleanup work began in earnest after EPA issued its cleanup plan in 1990. The responsible parties constructed a fence, built a landfill cap to contain contamination, restored Little Six-Mile Creek, plugged seven private wells, and extended public water service to nearby property owners. In 1997, EPA and Florida regulators chose monitored natural attenuation to handle remaining groundwater contamination. Deed restrictions put in place in 1993 limit future land uses and block groundwater use on-site. The St. John's River Water Management District also requires its approval for any new wells placed in the surrounding area.
All physical cleanup construction is complete. EPA has determined that human exposure is under control and that contaminated groundwater is stable within its original area, with no unacceptable discharge to surface water. The site holds a sitewide ready for anticipated use designation, meaning all cleanup goals for current and expected future land uses have been met and required land-use restrictions are in place. The responsible parties continue groundwater monitoring twice a year. The most recent Five-Year Review, completed in May 2021, confirmed the cleanup remains protective of human health and the environment. The next review is due between May and July 2026. The site has not yet been deleted from the National Priorities List.
Community members can stay involved by attending public meetings and watching for public notices issued by EPA during Five-Year Reviews and other key milestones. Records related to EPA Superfund work at the site are available at the Highlands Branch Public Library at 1826 Dunn Avenue in Jacksonville. For direct questions, residents can contact the EPA Community Involvement Coordinator or the Remedial Project Manager.
