American Creosote Works, Inc.

Overview

American Creosote Works in Louisville, Mississippi operated as a wood-treating facility from 1912 to 1997. Creosote oil and coal tar were used to treat wood products on the 120-acre property. EPA added the site to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) in September 2001 because of widespread contamination to soil, groundwater, and sediment.

EPA identified 32 contaminants of concern at the site. These include metals such as chromium, manganese, nickel, iron, and benzene, along with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like naphthalene, fluoranthene, and pyrene. The site also contains phthalates, dioxins, and other aromatic organic compounds tied to creosote operations. All contaminants are located in Operable Unit 1.

Cleanup has taken place across several decades. Between 1984 and 1985, EPA removed and solidified 70,000 cubic yards of contaminated waste and soil, which was then capped with clay and seeded with grass. From 1999 to 2000, workers decommissioned tanks, treated wastewater, and removed hazardous debris. Starting in 2006, EPA installed a retaining wall in Hughes Creek and later completed a subsurface vertical barrier wall and cap system to contain contaminated soil and sediment. A removal action from 2015 to 2016 addressed remaining creosote beneath the former creek bed. Physical construction finished in July 2017. The site achieved Site Wide Ready for Anticipated Use status in August 2021 after the City of Louisville, EPA, and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) signed Environmental Covenants restricting land use to commercial and industrial activities and prohibiting access to potentially contaminated groundwater. A water line connects residents and businesses to the public water system.

The 2022 Five-Year Review found the site protective in the short term. Human exposure is under control, and contaminated groundwater has been stabilized in its original area. To ensure long-term protection, the site must stay secure against trespassing, and EPA is evaluating whether to remove a pine tree growing on the containment cell's cover. The next five-year review is estimated for August through October 2027. The site has not yet been deleted from the NPL.

Community members can stay involved through public notices and meetings that EPA holds throughout the cleanup process. Site records are available at the Winston County Library at 301 West Park Street in Louisville, Mississippi 39339. Two EPA staff members are available to answer questions directly.