The White Farm Equipment Co. Dump is a 20-acre former industrial landfill on the northern edge of Charles City, Iowa. From the 1920s through 1985, the site received foundry sands, baghouse dust, sludges, and air pollution control equipment waste from nearby manufacturing operations. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List in 1988 and removed it in October 2000 after construction of the cleanup remedy was completed.
The two contaminants of concern are benzene, found in groundwater, and lead, found in solid waste. Contaminated groundwater has been stabilized in its original area. The Cedar River wetlands may also have been affected by contaminants. Risks include potential health effects from ingesting or touching contaminated groundwater, surface water, soil, or sediments.
Cleanup work was carried out under a 1991 Consent Decree with Allied Products Corporation. The remedy included installing a compacted soil cap, planting vegetation over it, adding perimeter fencing, and placing deed restrictions on the property. An environmental covenant filed in 2009 prohibits well drilling for drinking water or crop irrigation and requires the cap and warning signs to be maintained. The covenant applies to all current and future property owners. The property now serves as a hay field.
EPA completed the sixth Five-Year Review in February 2024. It confirmed that the remedy continues to protect human health and the environment, that no unacceptable exposure pathways currently exist, and that all cleanup goals for current and reasonably expected future land uses have been met. Groundwater was last sampled in October 2023. EPA has recommended improvements to the groundwater monitoring network, with a target completion date of September 30, 2033. The next Five-Year Review is scheduled for February 2029.
Community members with questions can contact the EPA Community Involvement Coordinator toll-free at 1-800-223-0425. Communities can also request free independent technical assistance through the Technical Assistance Services for Communities (TASC) program, which connects residents with scientists, engineers, and other professionals who can review technical documents, facilitate meetings, and prepare informational materials.
