From 1971 to 1979, the Vogel Paint & Wax Co. plant disposed of paint production waste into trenches at an 80-acre site in Sioux County, Iowa, about 2 miles south of Maurice. The waste included paint sludge, resins, and solvents. The site was added to the EPA's National Priorities List in 1986 and remains on that list today.
Contaminants found in groundwater include benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, 1,2-dichloropropane, methyl ethyl ketone, cadmium, chromium, and lead. Soil contamination includes arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, nickel, zinc, and organic compounds. EPA identified 16 contaminants of concern across both soil and groundwater.
Cleanup began in 1991 and has included excavating contaminated soil, removing about 3,500 cubic yards of solid waste and 220 barrels of sludge and solvents, and treating roughly 65,000 cubic yards of soil through bioremediation. A groundwater pump-and-treat system ran from 1992 to 2004. Later efforts added soil vapor extraction, bioventing, and phytoremediation. A phytoremediation study from 2007 to 2009 proved unsuccessful. Since 2018, a pilot study has tested in situ bioremediation to control contamination spread. Remedial work continues under Vogel's management, with oversight from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and EPA support.
The 2024 Five-Year Review found that current conditions protect human health and the environment in the short term, with no unacceptable risks occurring now. However, groundwater migration has not yet been stabilized, cleanup goals for anticipated future land uses have not all been met, and additional work is needed for long-term protection. Physical construction of the cleanup is complete, but monitoring and active remediation continue.
Community members can review site documents at the Sioux Center Public Library at 102 S. Main Avenue in Sioux Center, Iowa. Free technical assistance is available through the Technical Assistance Services for Communities program, which provides scientists and engineers at no cost. Community groups can also apply for Technical Assistance Grants of up to $50,000 to hire an independent technical advisor. Interested parties can join the site mailing list to receive updates on future public meetings or comment periods.
