Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp - Columbus

Overview

The Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp site is a 90-acre former chemical manufacturing facility in Columbus, Mississippi. It operated from 1928 to 2003, producing pressure-treated railroad products using creosote and pentachlorophenol (PCP). The EPA added it to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 2011, which means it qualifies for federal Superfund cleanup funding and oversight.

The main contaminants are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo(a)pyrene and naphthalene, PCP, arsenic, chromium, and chlorinated dioxins and furans. These chemicals are carcinogens and pose unacceptable risks to human health and the environment. They are found in soil, groundwater, and sediment across the site and at nearby residential properties. Most residents use the public water system, and public drinking water wells sit 885 to 915 feet below ground, isolated from the shallow contaminated aquifer. A groundwater pump-and-treat system has run since 1990 to keep contaminated water from moving off-site. Groundwater migration is considered under control, though the EPA notes there is insufficient data to confirm whether all unacceptable human exposure pathways have been eliminated.

Cleanup is organized into seven operable units (OUs). Soil excavation in the Pine Yard (OU-1) finished in September 2022. Cleanup of ten off-site residential properties (OU-2) was completed in December 2024. The Main Facility-Former Processing Area (OU-3) received a Record of Decision (ROD) in September 2024, calling for soil covers, engineered barriers, groundwater extraction, and phytoremediation. Construction for OU-3 is expected between July and September 2028. The Former Main Plant-Outside Process Area (OU-5) received a decision document in September 2025. The Pine Yard Deep Zone (OU-4), Sitewide Groundwater (OU-6), and Wetlands (OU-7) are still in earlier study phases. The most recent five-year review was completed on September 29, 2024. Physical construction is not complete across the entire site, and it has not been deleted from the NPL.

The community has several ways to stay involved. A Community Advisory Group (CAG) meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday at the Genesis Dream Center, 1820 23rd Street in Columbus. Residents can review site records at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library at 314 North 7th Street or the Community Resource Building at 2300 14th Avenue North. Mississippi State University students are developing conceptual reuse designs for the property. Local partners, including the Memphis Town CAG, are pursuing grants to build a storm shelter and indoor sports complex on part of the site once soil cleanup is done. For direct questions, residents can contact the EPA's Community Involvement Coordinator or Remedial Project Manager.