The American Creosote Works Jackson Plant operated as a wood-treating facility from the early 1930s until 1981. During that time, untreated wastewater flowed into the Forked Deer River, and contaminated materials were stored in lagoons and pits that overflowed during heavy rains. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) placed the site on the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) in 1986.
The site contains 23 confirmed contaminants of concern found in soil, sludge, liquid waste, and building materials. These include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[a]anthracene, metals including arsenic and lead, and pentachlorophenol. Contamination affects surface soil and groundwater, and a plume of contaminated groundwater has spread beyond the site boundaries.
Cleanup has moved through three separate phases called operable units (OUs). Early work in the late 1980s and early 1990s removed about 30 million gallons of contaminated water, stabilized oily sludge, demolished buildings, and built a flood protection levee. Between 1998 and 2000, workers excavated contaminated soil, mixed it with cement, carbon, and fly ash, and placed it in a capped 7-acre containment cell. EPA assessments confirm those two phases protect human health. The third phase targets contaminated groundwater and dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL), a heavy oily substance that sinks in groundwater. A removal action for this phase began in August 2023, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is completing a study to map the full extent of creosote and groundwater contamination. Completion is estimated between July and September 2027.
Human exposure to contaminants is considered under control. The site is fenced, restricted to industrial use, and surface water and groundwater are not used for drinking. Vapor intrusion sampling in 2015 showed no unacceptable health risks under current conditions. However, the EPA has determined that groundwater migration is not fully stabilized, and additional work remains to confirm the long-term effectiveness of the remedy. Two businesses currently operate on the property, employing 5 people and generating about $3.3 million in annual sales.
Community members can stay involved through public notices and meetings organized by EPA Region 4. Questions can be directed to the EPA's Community Involvement Coordinator or Remedial Project Manager. Site records are also available at the Jackson-Madison County Library at 433 E. Lafayette Street in Jackson, Tennessee.
