Cabot/Koppers

Overview

The Cabot/Koppers site covers 140 acres in Gainesville, Florida. It operated pine tar, charcoal, and wood-preserving facilities from the early 1900s onward. Those operations left soil and groundwater contaminated with hazardous substances, leading EPA to list the site on the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1984. The site is split into five operable units, each addressing a different geographic area or contamination problem. Physical cleanup construction is not yet complete, and the site is not ready for all anticipated uses.

Contaminants of concern include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are carcinogens, along with benzene, naphthalene, phenol, pentachlorophenol, and dioxin toxicity equivalents. Heavy metals and metalloids found at the site include arsenic, lead, mercury, chromium, copper, and antimony. These substances have been detected in groundwater, soil, surface water, and sediment. Human exposure pathways are currently under control, and groundwater contamination has been stabilized in the original area. Groundwater protections, including the Suwannee River Water Management District delineation area and the Alachua County Murphee Wellfield Protection Zone, prevent new well installation at and around the site.

Cleanup actions have included removing contaminated soil from over 100 residential and commercial structures, pulling 116 tons of contaminated sediment from two creeks, and treating more than 500 million gallons of contaminated groundwater per site area. All remedial construction on the Cabot Carbon side finished in September 2020. Work on the Koppers side, including the intermediate aquifer and offsite soil and sediment units, is estimated to wrap up between May and July 2027, with overall construction activities at Koppers scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. The responsible parties, Beazer East and Cabot Carbon, continue to fund cleanup and monitoring. Institutional controls including fencing, zoning restrictions, and deed restrictions remain in place to limit exposure. The Cabot Carbon portion of the site now hosts a shopping center, car dealerships, and commercial offices, with 19 businesses employing 193 people and generating an estimated 49.9 million dollars in annual sales.

Community members can stay involved through several channels. The Stephen Foster Neighborhood Association holds regular meetings where residents can speak directly with EPA, state officials, and technical representatives. EPA holds monthly status calls with the City of Gainesville, Alachua County Environmental Protection Department, Gainesville Regional Utilities, and the responsible parties. A Community Involvement Plan from 2017 is available for review. The Local Intergovernmental Team works with EPA and state officials to evaluate cleanup approaches. The most recent Five-Year Review was completed April 28, 2021, and the next review is estimated for April through June 2026. Site records are available at the Alachua County Library at 401 East University Avenue in Gainesville.