Whitehouse Oil Pits

Overview

Allied Petroleum disposed of acidic waste oil sludge at the Whitehouse Oil Pits from 1958 to 1968, leaving behind contamination in soil, groundwater, surface water, and sediment. The site sits on a vacant former industrial property in Whitehouse, Florida, adjacent to McGirts Creek and its floodplain. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1983. Over 80 chemical substances have been identified as contaminants of concern, including metals such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, and nickel, organic chemicals such as benzene, toluene, xylene, and trichloroethene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phthalates, petroleum-related compounds like naphthalene and phenol, and Aroclor 1260, a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) product. Contamination was found in soil, groundwater, surface water, and sediment.

Cleanup work unfolded in several stages. EPA conducted multiple removal actions between 1986 and 1992. The main cleanup approach included building a slurry wall to contain contaminated groundwater, operating a pump-and-treat system, removing contaminated sediments from McGirts Creek, and placing a clay cap with vegetated soil cover over impacted areas. A 5.4-acre on-site landfill was built in the location of the former disposal pits to hold contaminated sediments from a nearby hardwood swamp area. Construction of the full cleanup remedy was completed in 2006. Remedy decisions evolved over time through a 1985 Record of Decision, a 1992 amendment, a 1998 amendment, and a 2001 Explanation of Significant Differences, each refining the cleanup strategy as site conditions became better understood.

Current conditions at the site are controlled. Human exposure is under control with no unacceptable pathways to people. Groundwater migration is stabilized with no unacceptable discharge to surface water, and EPA continues monitoring to confirm contaminated groundwater stays in its original area. Most nearby residences connect to the public water supply rather than private wells. The site is fenced, and a restrictive covenant limits well placement and future land uses to those compatible with the cleanup remedy. The City of Jacksonville owns the property and uses it as a natural ecological buffer. EPA deleted the site from the NPL on September 19, 2018. The most recent five-year review was completed on May 23, 2024.

Community members can stay involved through EPA outreach activities including public notices, public meetings, and interviews focused on site updates. Site documents are available at the West Regional Jacksonville Public Library at 1425 Chaffee Road South in Jacksonville, Florida. For questions, residents can contact the Community Involvement Coordinator or Remedial Project Manager, or the City of Jacksonville for local information.