Horton Iron and Metal

Overview

Horton Iron and Metal is a 42.1-acre industrial property in Wilmington, North Carolina. The site hosted fertilizer manufacturing from 1911 to 1954 and ship breaking in the 1960s and 1970s. Those past operations left contamination in soil, sediment, and groundwater. The EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in September 2011, which triggers a formal federal cleanup process.

More than 180 chemical substances have been identified at the site. They include heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, and mercury. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlorinated pesticides like dieldrin and alpha-chlordane, and other organic chemicals were also found. All of these were detected in soil, sediment, and groundwater within the site's main cleanup area, known as Operable Unit 1.

The EPA completed a remedial investigation and feasibility study and signed a Record of Decision in September 2018. That document selected the cleanup methods, which include capping contaminated areas, solidifying and stabilizing soil in place, consolidating waste onsite, excavation, and institutional controls. The EPA reached a settlement with Phillips 66, one of the parties responsible for contamination, in 2024. Protective measures already in place include a gate restricting access to the eastern portion of the site, a silt fence to limit soil erosion, and two cofferdams to keep contaminated sediment away from the North Cape Fear River. The EPA tested all private wells near the site and found no threats to drinking water. Human exposure to contaminants is currently under control, and groundwater contamination is stable with no unacceptable discharge to surface water.

Cleanup design work began in April 2024. The EPA is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the remedial design phase, with a contract expected to be awarded in early 2025. Physical construction of the cleanup is estimated to start between January and March 2028, with design completion expected between July and September 2027. When cleanup is finished, the site will meet standards for commercial and industrial use. One business currently operates on the site.

Community members can stay involved through public notices, public meetings, and interviews that the EPA conducts as part of ongoing community involvement activities. Site documents are available at the New Hanover County Public Library in Wilmington. Two EPA contacts are available to answer questions directly.