Superfund Sites in Reuse in Iowa
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Cedar Valley Electroplating
The Cedar Valley Electroplating L.L.C. site is in Cedar Falls, Iowa. From 2004 to 2011, Cedar Valley Electroplating operated a metal electroplating business on site. Contamination resulted from improper storage and leaking hazardous waste tanks and containers. In 2012, after Cedar Valley Electroplating failed to comply with an EPA cleanup order, EPA addressed the contamination. EPA then worked with an interested developer to support the site’s return to beneficial use. The developer took the necessary steps to qualify for liability protection as a bona fide prospective purchaser under the Superfund law. EPA released its lien on the site. In 2016, the developer acquired the site property and began renovating the former electroplating facility. Today, several units are available for lease on site. The units are intended to support small or start up commercial and industrial businesses. There is currently a cutting tool manufacturing facility operating on site.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA had data on one on-site business. EPA did not have further economic details related to this business. For additional information click here.
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Fairfield Coal Gasification Plant
The Fairfield Coal Gasification Plant Superfund site is in Fairfield, Iowa. From 1878 to 1950, the plant produced a natural gas alternative fuel from coal. Iowa Electric Light and Power, later known as IES Utilities, bought the plant in 1917 and operated the plant until 1950. At that time, the gas production system for the town switched to natural gas and the facility closed. Former plant operations had contaminated soil and groundwater. From 1950 to 1988, IES Utilities used the property as an operations facility. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1990. All known contaminated soil has been removed and treated. EPA is currently evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment system at cleaning up the groundwater contamination that remains under the site. Today, Alliant Energy, which merged with IES Utilities in 1998, operates an electrical substation at the site. Alliant recently improved the substation to double its operating capacity.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA did not have economic data related to on-site businesses, or economic data were not applicable due to site use. For additional information click here.
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Farmers' Mutual Cooperative
The 6-acre Farmers' Mutual Cooperative Superfund site is located in Hospers, Iowa. An agricultural supply and service business – Farmers' Mutual Cooperative – is located on site. Between 1902 and 1992, the business handled bulk fertilizer and pesticides. In 1984, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources found contamination, including pesticides, in three municipal wells next to the site. Investigations linked groundwater contamination to site activities. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1990. In 1992, EPA decided that natural breakdown would address contaminants in groundwater and surface water. Based on monitoring, EPA would connect affected residents to the public water supply, as needed. In late 1996, the city of Hospers connected residents to the rural water supply. EPA’s cleanup plan allowed Farmers' Mutual Cooperative to continue operating during the cleanup. In 2001, sampling confirmed the effectiveness of the remedy. EPA took the site off the NPL. Farmers' Mutual Cooperative, now the Midwest Farmers' Cooperative, currently uses the site for grain storage.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA had data on 3 on-site businesses. These businesses employed 9 people and generated an estimated $3,529,000 in annual sales revenue. For additional information click here.
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Iowa City FMGP
The Iowa City Former Manufactured Gas Plant (FMGP) site is located east of downtown Iowa City, Iowa. The site is in a mixed residential and commercial area. The Tri-City Railway and Light Company produced manufactured coal gas at the site from about 1857 through 1937. The Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric Company, now known as MidAmerican Energy Company, ran a service facility until 1971. Other commercial uses continued until 1983, when a new site owner demolished the remaining gas plant structures. The new owner built a 54-unit apartment building called Iowa Illinois Square on the site. During construction, the property owner found oily wastes. EPA investigated the site in 2003. In 2004, MidAmerican removed the contents of an underground tank and filled in the tank. In 2010, after working with site owners and the Iowa City community, the monitoring of groundwater and air quality on and around the site began. The Iowa Illinois Square apartments continue to house university students and community members.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA did not have economic data related to on-site businesses, or economic data were not applicable due to site use. For additional information click here.
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John Deere (Dubuque Works)
The John Deere (Dubuque Works) Superfund site occupies nearly 1,500 acres just outside of Dubuque, Iowa. Most of the site is undeveloped. The manufacturing facility on site has operated since 1946. The facility makes heavy construction equipment, including backhoes, bulldozers and forestry equipment. Former waste disposal activities and a fuel line leak in 1980 contaminated groundwater at the site. Cleanup activities included groundwater extraction and containment, deed restrictions to prevent potential future exposures, and a contingency plan to prevent contaminant migration in the event of a facility shutdown. The facility now has a new, safe potable water supply. In 2009, an Iowa Uniform Environmental Covenants Act environmental covenant strengthened existing deed restrictions. Thanks to collaboration between EPA and Deere & Company, the John Deere facility has continued operating during the cleanup process. The cleanup protects facility workers from contamination. Commercial support businesses operate in the facility. Deere & Company also installed a vegetative cover over part of the site landfill area that includes native grasses and wildflowers. The site’s soil improvement plan will ensure there are no unacceptable exposures to ecological receptors, provides a pollinator habitat, and a walking area for facility employees. In 2018, Region 7 awarded Deere & Company the Leading Environmentalism and Forwarding Sustainability Award in recognition of reuse at the site.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA had data on 4 on-site businesses. These businesses employed 1,829 people and generated an estimated $1,021,498,000 in annual sales revenue. For additional information click here.
For more information:
- Recreational and Ecological Use at Superfund Sites Story MapEXIT
- Redevelopment of the John Deere (Dubuque Works) Superfund Site (PDF)(2 pg, 1.4 MB)
- Superfund Site Profile Page
John Deere (Ottumwa Works Landfills)
The 105-acre John Deere (Ottumwa Works Landfills) Superfund site is located in Ottumwa, Iowa. Deere & Company has made agricultural equipment on site since 1911. From 1911 to 1973, the company landfilled facility-generated wastes on site. The city of Ottumwa receives its water from the Des Moines River, which is next to the site. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1990. Under EPA oversight, Deere & Company investigated the nature and extent of the contamination. Based on its findings, EPA selected a remedy that requires that the company maintain the site perimeter fence and conduct periodic groundwater and surface water monitoring. The site was deleted from the NPL in 2000, and the groundwater monitoring program was terminated in 2018. In 2016, an environmental covenant strengthened existing site use restrictions. Deere & Company continues to make agricultural equipment on site.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA had data on 2 on-site businesses. These businesses employed 196 people and generated an estimated $175,288,575 in annual sales revenue. For additional information click here.
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LaBounty Site 
The 8-acre LaBounty Superfund site is located on the Cedar River floodplain at the southern edge of Charles City, Iowa. Salsbury Laboratories, a manufacturer of veterinary pharmaceuticals, disposed of contaminated wastes at the site from 1953 to 1977. The contaminants threatened surrounding groundwater and the Cedar River. The river provides drinking water to about one-third of Iowa’s population. In 1981, Salsbury Laboratories placed a clay cap over the site. However, the cap failed to fully prevent contaminants from leaking into area groundwater. In 1983, EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL). In 1986, Salsbury Laboratories installed a groundwater diversion wall that was effective. After cleanup, EPA took the site off the NPL in 1993. The successful cleanup has removed the threat of drinking water contamination for hundreds of thousands of Iowa residents. The site is currently used for storage of highway and street paving equipment.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA had data on one on-site business. EPA did not have further economic details related to this business. For additional information click here.
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Lehigh Portland Cement Co.
The 145-acre Lehigh Portland Cement Company site is in Mason City, Iowa. Beginning in 1911, a cement manufacturing plant on site generated large amounts of alkaline cement kiln dust. In 1981, testing of a pond identified highly alkaline water that discharged into nearby Calmus Creek. Cleanup activities included consolidation and capping of cement kiln dust to minimize water filtering through the waste. Groundwater is also being treated. The cement manufacturing facility continues to operate on site. Three of the capped waste areas are in the Lime Creek Nature Center, a Cerro Gordo County park. These capped areas are well vegetated and provide wildlife habitat. There is no contaminant exposure to park visitors or wildlife. Hiking and walking trails extend around the capped areas and the nature center is open to the public.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA had data on one on-site business. This business employed 125 people and generated an estimated $66,672,000 in annual sales revenue. For additional information click here.
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Mason City Coal Gasification Plant
The Mason City Coal Gasification Plant Superfund site occupies 2.3 acres in Mason City, Iowa. Beginning in the early 1900s, a gas manufacturing plant on site generated “town gas” for lighting and heating purposes. Site operators decommissioned and demolished the plant in the early 1950s. Remaining residues from the gas manufacturing process, commonly referred to as coal tar, contaminated soil and groundwater. In 1984, Mason City began digging to install a new sewer line at the site. The City discovered coal tar in subsurface soil and structures. In 1994, EPA placed the site on the National Priorities List (NPL). Potentially responsible parties removed contaminated soils and waste materials in 1997. In 2003, monitoring of the natural breakdown of groundwater contamination began. It continues today. Controls are in place to restrict land use at the site to protect human health and the environment. The site remains in continued use. Site owner Alliant Energy Corporation uses a small garage on the western edge of the site for vehicle and equipment storage. Alliant also continues to operate a power substation on site.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA did not have economic data related to on-site businesses, or economic data were not applicable due to site use. For additional information click here.
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Mid-American Tanning Co.
The 100-acre Mid-America Tanning Company Superfund site is near Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. A leather tannery operated on site from 1970 to 1989. Waste disposal practices from former tannery operations contaminated soil and groundwater at the site. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1989. Cleanup included stabilizing and capping waste materials on site and groundwater monitoring. Following cleanup, EPA removed the site from the NPL in 2004. Two events in 2005 resulted in releases of contamination from areas where waste is buried on site. EPA plugged the pipe where the releases occurred, solidified buried wastes and put a clay cap over them. EPA completed this work in 2007. Today, the site owner uses the property for staging and storing landscaping debris, railroad ties and bailed tires.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA did not have economic data related to on-site businesses, or economic data were not applicable due to site use. For additional information click here.
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Midwest Manufacturing/North Farm
The Midwest Manufacturing/North Farm Superfund site is in and near Kellogg, Iowa. It includes two separate properties – the North Farm operable unit (OU1) and the Midwest Manufacturing operable unit (OU2). OU1 covers less than an acre and is in a rural area outside of Kellogg. OU2 covers about 8 acres and is a former electroplating and manufacturing facility in Kellogg. The Midwest Manufacturing facility operated at OU2 from 1973 until 1981. Sludge and wastes generated at the OU2 plant and discarded into disposal trenches at both OUs contaminated soils and groundwater. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1986. Cleanup included land use and groundwater restrictions as well as monitoring. Groundwater monitoring is ongoing. In 2012, a metal recycling facility purchased and began operating at OU2.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA had data on one on-site business. This business employed 6 people and generated an estimated $176,000 in annual sales revenue. For additional information click here.
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Northwestern States Portland Cement Co.
The Northwestern States Portland Cement Co. Superfund site is just north of Mason City, Iowa. From 1969 until 1985, the cement company disposed of about 2 million tons of waste cement kiln dust in a 150-acre quarry at the site. This waste disposal caused contamination of surface water and groundwater. In 1979, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources found that creek water downstream of the quarry had high pH levels. After additional investigations, EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1990. The owner of the now-closed cement manufacturing facility cleaned up the site, with EPA oversight. The cleanup included building a cap to keep rainwater from seeping into the quarry and pumping and treating groundwater to lower the groundwater level below the waste in the quarry. After cleanup construction was completed, EPA removed the site from the NPL in 1995. The responsible party continues to pump and treat groundwater and conduct monitoring and maintenance. Ninety acres of the site are now used to grow hay for sale.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA did not have economic data related to on-site businesses, or economic data were not applicable due to site use. For additional information click here.
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PCE Chestnut Street
The 500 Chestnut Street building, which is part of the larger PCE Chestnut Street site, is in Atlantic, Iowa. From about 1991 to 2012, the 500 Chestnut Street building was operated as a laundry and dry-cleaning service. In 2015, EPA sampled for vapor intrusion at the site, which determined that indoor air contained unsafe levels of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE). From 2015 through 2017, EPA removed abandoned chemicals, dry-cleaning equipment containing PCE, and PCE-contaminated building materials from the site. After removal activities were completed, EPA conducted indoor air sampling that determined concentrations of PCE and TCE were below levels of health concern. In 2018, the site building was renovated. An aerobics studio and residences are now located in the building.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA had data on one on-site business. This business employed 2 people and generated an estimated $29,000 in annual sales revenue. For additional information click here.
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PCE Former Dry Cleaner.
The PCE Former Dry Cleaner Superfund site is in Atlantic, Cass County, Iowa. In 1974, the Iowa Department of Transportation leased the site and operated a materials testing laboratory. Before that, a dry cleaner operated on site in the 1960s. The building used by both operations was demolished between 1982 and 1994. Past site operations contaminated soil and groundwater. The area of groundwater contamination extends to the municipal water supply system. This system includes nine active municipal wells that serve about 7,500 people. Atlantic Municipal Utilities disconnected two wells from the municipal water supply system to help protect the other wells from contamination. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 2016. EPA addressed the source area soil utilizing in-situ thermal remediation in 2017. EPA constructed a groundwater containment system to protect the municipal well field; the system was operational in December 2018. Routine groundwater monitoring is ongoing. Currently, a bank owns the site property, where a commercial business is located.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA had data on one on-site business. This business employed 6 people and generated an estimated $14,000,000 in annual sales revenue. For additional information click here.
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Peoples Natural Gas Co. 
The 5-acre Peoples Natural Gas Co. Superfund site is in Dubuque, Iowa. From 1890 through the 1950s, a manufactured gas plant operated on site. A survey for the proposed extension of U.S. Highway 61 by the Iowa Department of Transportation in 1983 discovered contaminated residues from the gas manufacturing process. The state found volatile organic compounds and many other contaminants in site groundwater and soil. In 1989, a removal action addressed soil contamination in the area where highway construction was planned. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1990. Cleanup included removal and treatment of contaminated soil and groundwater extraction and treatment. In the 1960s, the Peoples Natural Gas Company sold part of the site to the city of Dubuque (the City). The City operated the Dubuque Public Works Garage on site until 2006. After 2006, the City continued to use the property for storage, and at one point leased part of the property to a lumber company for storage. EPA updated the site’s remedy in 2013, including additional land use restrictions and a groundwater treatment system to address remaining groundwater contamination. Operation and maintenance of the site’s long-term remedy and monitoring are ongoing. The City and the East Central Intergovernmental Association replaced the former public works garage with a bus storage and maintenance facility. Today, the facility supports the City’s Jule public transit system. The site provides storage and light maintenance space, houses dispatch and management offices, and provides meeting and training facilities for employees. The Iowa Department of Transportation owns the rest of the site. A section of U.S. Highway 61 crosses the western part of the site. In April 2018, EPA Region 7 recognized the City with the Leading Environmentalism and Forwarding Sustainability award for their redevelopment of the site. With EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment in mind, EPA established the Superfund Task Force in May 2017 to provide recommendations for improving and expediting site cleanups and promoting redevelopment. Based on the Superfund Task Force recommendations, EPA identified the site as a Redevelopment Opportunity site – a site with the greatest expected redevelopment potential.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA had data on one on-site business. This business employed 85 people. For additional information click here.
For more information:
- Redevelopment of the Peoples Natural Gas Superfund Site (PDF)(3 pp, 2.2 MB)
- Superfund Site Profile Page
Railroad Avenue Groundwater Contamination
The Railroad Avenue Groundwater Contamination Superfund site is in West Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. The site includes two operable units (OUs): the northern groundwater plume (OU1) and the southern groundwater plume (OU2). Despite extensive investigations, a source for OU1 contamination has not been identified. Contamination at OU2 came from a used solvent storage tank at a former metal brazing facility. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 2002. OU1 cleanup includes monitoring to confirm natural breakdown of contamination and restrictions to limit use of groundwater. OU2 cleanup includes monitoring of natural breakdown of contamination and groundwater use restrictions. The potentially responsible party for OU2 is cleaning the southern plume under EPA oversight. Routine monitoring and sampling of groundwater continue. OU1 continues to support industrial, commercial and residential land uses. Groundwater is the main source of public water and is treated at the West Des Moines Water Works treatment plant before distribution. Surface water bodies on the site continue to support recreational uses.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA did not have economic data related to on-site businesses, or economic data were not applicable due to site use. For additional information click here.
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Red Oak City Landfill
The 40-acre Red Oak City Landfill Superfund site is near Red Oak, Iowa. Landfilling practices at the site from 1962 to 1974 contaminated groundwater, surface water and soil with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals. In 1984, EPA observed contaminated water seeping from the landfill into the East Nishnabotna River. After investigating the site, EPA added it to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1986. The responsible parties cleaned up the site with EPA oversight. Cleanup activities included building a clay cap over the landfill, restricting the future use of the property, stabilizing the riverbank, and monitoring groundwater and surface water. Following cleanup, EPA took the site off the NPL in 2005. In 2007, EPA’s Superfund Redevelopment Initiative (SRI) provided reuse planning support for the site by funding a regional seed project. Currently, the site is used to grow hay.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA did not have economic data related to on-site businesses, or economic data were not applicable due to site use. For additional information click here.
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Shaw Avenue Dump
The Shaw Avenue Dump Superfund site is in southeastern Charles City, Iowa. Charles City operated an unpermitted municipal waste dump on site. The 8-acre former dump sits about 500 feet east of the Cedar River. From 1949 to 1953, site operators disposed of large amounts of arsenic-contaminated solid waste from Salsbury Laboratories’ production of animal pharmaceuticals on the northern half of the site. Salsbury Laboratories also discharged liquid wastes to the Charles City wastewater treatment plant. Site operators then disposed of treatment plant sludge on the southern portion of the site. Charles City and the public used the area for open burning of wastes. Site investigations identified arsenic contamination in area groundwater, soil and surface waters of the Cedar River. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1987. The potentially responsible parties (PRPs) started cleanup activities in 1992. They transported all contaminated materials off site for proper disposal at a permitted landfill. The successful removal of contaminated soils from the site reduced the risk of further contaminating area groundwater. EPA determined that there was no need for further action to address groundwater contamination. Charles City owns the site and operates a municipal composting facility there. Residents can drop off yard waste and pick up finished compost free of charge.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA did not have economic data related to on-site businesses, or economic data were not applicable due to site use. For additional information click here.
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Waterloo Coal Gasification Plant
The Waterloo Coal Gasification Plant Superfund site is in Waterloo, Iowa. From 1901 to 1956, a plant manufactured gas on site for lighting and heating purposes. Wastes from these operations contaminated soil and groundwater. EPA proposed listing the site on the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1992. The site has not been finalized on the NPL. A three-phased removal action addressed contaminants’ potential impacts on groundwater and soil. Cleanup included the removal of 25,000 tons of coal tar as well as coal tar-impacted soil and materials. Portions of the site are used for truck parking and maintenance, as well as loading dock access for an adjacent cold storage business.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA had data on 2 on-site businesses. These businesses employed 4 people and generated an estimated $190,000 in annual sales revenue. For additional information click here.
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White Farm Equipment Co. Dump
The 20-acre White Farm Equipment Company Dump Superfund site is in Charles City, Iowa. The site is an old sand and gravel pit that is bordered by low-lying areas, wetlands and farmland. Beginning in the early 1900s, farm equipment manufacturing occurred near the site. In the 1920s, White Farm Equipment Company started operating a disposal facility at the site. Beginning in 1971, the company disposed of foundry sand, sludges, baghouse dust and industrial wastes at the site. Disposal activities contaminated sediments, soil, surface water and groundwater. Disposal activities ended in 1985. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1990. EPA’s cleanup consisted of soil capping and groundwater monitoring. Cap construction finished in 1995. After cleanup, EPA took the site off the NPL in 2000. In 2009, EPA issued an environmental covenant to protect the site’s remedy. To encourage reuse, EPA completed a Ready for Reuse Determination for the site in 2011. EPA determined that the site is ready for recreational, commercial, industrial and other uses. With EPA approval, the site owner began to graze livestock on the property in 2013. Currently, the site is being used for hay production.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA did not have economic data related to on-site businesses, or economic data were not applicable due to site use. For additional information click here.
For more information: