John Deere (Ottumwa Works Landfills)

Overview

The John Deere Ottumwa Works Landfills site sits on 118 acres in Ottumwa, Iowa, where agricultural equipment manufacturing has operated since the early 1900s. Between 1911 and 1973, facility wastes were disposed of on-site through landfilling. Those wastes left soil and groundwater contaminated with metals, solvents, and other industrial chemicals. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1990 and removed it in 2001 after cleanup goals were met.

Twenty-one contaminants of concern have been identified at the site. Metals found in soil and groundwater include arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, nickel, and zinc. Organic chemicals such as acetone, dichloromethane, tetrachloroethene, toluene, and xylene were also detected. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, cyanide, dibenzofuran, and a chlorinated aniline compound round out the list. Soil is the primary contaminated medium, with arsenic also present in groundwater. Metal concentrations in soil posed the main risk, particularly to sensitive populations and anyone growing vegetables in contaminated soil.

The cleanup remedy focused on controlling exposure rather than removing contamination. Contaminated soils were isolated using asphalt, concrete, compacted gravel, or clean topsoil with vegetation. A perimeter fence restricts public access. EPA determined that groundwater, surface water, and sediment did not pose significant threats, so no active cleanup was required for those media. Groundwater and surface water monitoring ran until 2018, when EPA approved ending it. Hazardous substances still remain on-site above levels that allow unrestricted use.

John Deere continues manufacturing on the property today. Deed restrictions limit future use to nonresidential activities, and an Environmental Covenant filed in October 2015 prevents residential development. As of December 2024, two on-site businesses employed 93 people and generated about $68.6 million in annual sales revenue. EPA completed its most recent five-year review in March 2023 and confirmed the remedy remains protective of human health and the environment. The next review is estimated between March and May 2028.

Community members with questions can contact EPA's Community Involvement Coordinator or the Remedial Project Manager. For state-related questions, contact the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Site records are available for public review at the Ottumwa Public Library, located at 102 West Fourth Street, Ottumwa, Iowa.