Elmore Waste Disposal

Overview

The Elmore Waste Disposal site covers 8 acres in Greer, South Carolina. Drums of liquid waste were dumped there between 1975 and 1977, leaving behind a mix of heavy metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The site was added to the National Priorities List (NPL) in March 1989, which means it qualified for federal Superfund cleanup funding. A laundromat currently operates on part of the property.

Contaminants found in soil and groundwater include arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, nickel, and vanadium. VOCs detected include trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, benzene, vinyl chloride, and several related chemicals. The contamination spread roughly 1,100 feet north of the original property boundary.

Cleanup has moved through several stages. The state removed 5,500 tons of contaminated soil in 1986. The EPA built a pump-and-treat system between 1997 and 1999, which pulled out about 74 million gallons of contaminated groundwater and removed an estimated 720 pounds of VOCs through 2008. In 2017, the EPA completed chemical oxidation injections to break down VOCs at their source. South Carolina has run the pump-and-treat system since 2009. A further remedial design phase is planned for late 2026 into early 2027, with a final cleanup action estimated for mid-2028.

The 2023 Five-Year Review found the remedy protective of human health and the environment. No completed exposure pathways for contaminated groundwater currently exist, because all residents in the affected area are connected to public water supplies. Institutional controls, including zoning restrictions, prevent residential use and other activities inconsistent with cleanup standards. Physical construction at the site is complete, but cleanup levels have not yet been fully met. The site remains on the NPL. A follow-up Five-Year Review is estimated for late 2028.

Community members can stay involved through public notices, mailings, interviews, and information meetings that the EPA holds throughout the cleanup process. Questions about the site can go to the EPA's Community Involvement Coordinator or Remedial Project Manager. Site records are available at the Greenville County Library, 113 School Street in Greer.