Industrial Waste Control

Overview

Industrial Waste Control is a 14-acre landfill and surface impoundment facility in Sebastian County, Fort Smith, Arkansas. It received industrial waste from nearby plants, including wood shavings, solvents, and miscellaneous rubbish. The site was added to the EPA's National Priorities List (NPL) in September 1983 and deleted from it in April 2008 after meeting all cleanup goals.

EPA identified 20 contaminants of concern across soil, groundwater, and liquid waste at the site. Heavy metals include arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, and nickel. Organic chemicals include benzidine, benzo[a]pyrene, bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, dichloromethane, toluene, and trichloroethene. Manganese and beryllium were found in soil, while barium, manganese, and N,N-diphenylnitrous amide were detected in groundwater.

Cleanup work focused on one operable unit. Workers removed liquid-filled drums and treated contaminated soil through solidification and stabilization. A slurry wall, french drain, and multi-layer cap were installed to contain remaining contaminants. Remedial action ran from July 1989 to June 1992, with operation and maintenance continuing from December 1991 onward.

Human exposure is under control, with no unacceptable pathways for people to contact contamination. Groundwater migration is also under control, with no unacceptable discharge to surface water. The site achieved sitewide ready for anticipated reuse status in October 2007. Physical construction is complete. Institutional controls and groundwater monitoring remain in place. The most recent five-year review was completed in September 2022, and the next is estimated between September and November 2027.

Community members with questions can contact the EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, or the Remedial Project Manager for technical questions. A State of Arkansas contact is also available for state-level inquiries.