The Jadco-Hughes Facility sits on 6 acres in Belmont, Gaston County, North Carolina. Chemical waste operations ran there from 1971 to 1975, leaving soil, groundwater, and surface water contaminated. EPA added the site to the Superfund National Priorities List in 1986. A low-income residential neighborhood borders the site to the north, and Catawba Heights Elementary School is located nearby. Nearby residences and businesses connect to the public water supply, which means contaminated groundwater is not reaching people through drinking water.
More than 80 chemicals have been identified as contaminants of concern. These include chlorinated solvents such as trichloroethane, tetrachloroethane, dichloroethane, and carbon tetrachloride. Benzene, toluene, and xylene are also present. Heavy metals found at the site include arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, and mercury. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs, specifically Aroclor 1248), phthalates, and phenolic compounds round out the list.
Cleanup began in 1978 when responsible parties removed 18,000 drums of waste, with additional tanks removed in later years. EPA selected a long-term remedy in 1990 that included soil vapor extraction, soil flushing, groundwater extraction and treatment, air stripping, and ultraviolet oxidation. Institutional controls such as fencing, zoning restrictions limiting the property to commercial and industrial uses, and a prohibition on groundwater use were also put in place. Construction of the remedial action finished in December 1996. Active soil remediation is complete, and groundwater treatment continues.
The most recent Five-Year Review, completed in August 2021, found that the remedy protects human health and the environment in the short term. Human exposure to contaminated groundwater is under control across the entire site. Groundwater migration is stabilized with no unacceptable discharge to surface water. The site is not yet ready for all anticipated uses, and the next Five-Year Review is expected between August and October 2026. The site remains on the National Priorities List and has not been deleted or designated as sitewide ready for reuse.
Community members can get involved by contacting the EPA staff assigned to the site. EPA conducts public notices, public meetings, and interviews to keep residents informed and gather input. Site records are also available for public review at the Belmont Public Library, 111 Central Avenue, Belmont, North Carolina 28012.
