Superfund Sites in Reuse in Arizona
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Indian Bend Wash Area 
The Indian Bend Wash Area Superfund site is located in Scottsdale and Tempe, Arizona. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in December 1982, after discovery of contaminants in groundwater at several public water supply wells. In 1987, EPA divided the site into two areas. The first area – North Indian Bend Wash (NIBW) – is a 10-square-mile groundwater plume north of the Salt River in Scottsdale. The other area – South Indian Bend Wash (SIBW) – is an approximately 3-square-mile groundwater plume south of the Salt River in Tempe. Cleanup in the NIBW area addressed soil contamination with soil vapor extraction. Five groundwater pump-and-treat systems continue to operate as part of ongoing cleanup efforts. At the SIBW area, cleanup addressed soil contamination with soil vapor extraction. EPA approved monitoring of the natural breakdown of groundwater contamination at the three distinct groundwater plumes that constitute the site. A pilot test of in situ chemical oxidation has helped meet remedial goals for monitored natural attenuation at SIBW. EPA is reviewing contaminant source areas for potential vapor intrusion risk. Vapor intrusion exposure was not a known concern when the remedies for NIBW and SIBW were selected in the early 1990s. Continued use at the site includes residential, commercial, recreational, industrial, ecological, military and public service uses. The northernmost area of SIBW has been developed into a regional retail center.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA had data on 80 on-site businesses. These businesses employed 1,601 people and generated an estimated $354,079,815 in annual sales revenue. For additional information click here.
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Motorola, Inc. (52nd Street Plant)
Motorola, Inc. (52nd Street Plant)The Motorola, Inc. (52nd Street Plant) Superfund site is in Phoenix, Arizona. EPA defines the site generally by the extent of contaminated groundwater under a 7-mile area between downtown Phoenix and just east of Sky Harbor Airport. Land uses in the area include a mix of residential, commercial and industrial uses. The former Motorola 52nd Street Plant, a 90-acre former semiconductor manufacturing plant, is part of the site. The Honeywell International facility, a 118-acre aerospace manufacturing plant, is also part of the site. In 1982, Motorola discovered an underground storage tank leaking at its plant. Further studies identified soil and groundwater contaminated with several solvents used by Motorola when it made semiconductors. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1989. Motorola (now known as NXP) began voluntarily operating a groundwater treatment system in 1986 and expanded it for the interim remedy in 1992. Motorola and Honeywell International began operating a second, downstream groundwater treatment system in 2001. Motorola and other parties throughout the area of groundwater contamination have also treated contaminated soil on their properties. Since 2010, EPA and NXP have studied potential movement of groundwater vapors into homes, acted to prevent vapors from entering 19 residences, and completed protective action at a commercial building in 2017. EPA, the state and the site’s potentially responsible parties are also evaluating other potential sources of contamination. All land uses in the area will be able to continue during cleanup.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA had data on 25 on-site businesses. These businesses employed 1,776 people and generated an estimated $494,005,919 in annual sales revenue. For additional information click here.
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Phoenix-Goodyear Airport Area 
Phoenix-Goodyear Airport AreaThe Phoenix-Goodyear Airport (PGA) Area Superfund site is located in Maricopa County, Arizona. The site is about 17 miles west of downtown Phoenix. The site includes two areas – PGA-North and PGA-South. PGA-North is the location of the former Unidynamics facility. This part of the site includes three mostly unused parcels owned by the Crane Company. The city of Goodyear zoned the parcels for commercial and industrial use. PGA-South includes the Phoenix-Goodyear Airport and adjacent commercial and industrial properties, which are owned by JRC Goodyear. PGA-South is the site of the former Litchfield Naval Air Facility. In 1981, the state identified contaminated groundwater and soil near the airport. Maintaining and operating military aircraft at the former Naval Air Facility and researching and manufacturing military detonators and explosives at the Unidynamics facility led to contamination. In 1983, EPA placed the site on the National Priorities List (NPL). Cleanup includes treating groundwater, extracting soil vapor, and removing and capping contaminated soil. Cleanup is ongoing. The airport and associated businesses continue to operate on site. A manufacturer of prefabricated homes is located next to the airport. More recent airport tenants include two airline flight schools and an aircraft maintenance company. The Phoenix-Goodyear Airport contributes an estimated $200 million a year to the local economy. In 2009, the Crane Company and a local farmer entered into a unique partnership. The farmer uses about 12 acres of the PGA-North property to grow heat-tolerant Bermuda grass in the summer and Rye grass in the winter. The agricultural plots add visual appeal to the property and control dust. In addition, the farmer uses treated groundwater from the site’s treatment plant to irrigate the grasses.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA had data on 39 on-site businesses. These businesses employed 947 people and generated an estimated $101,501,307 in annual sales revenue. For additional information click here.
For more information:
- Reuse and the Benefit to Community: Phoenix-Goodyear Airport Area Superfund Site (PDF)(18 pp, 968 K, About PDF)
- Superfund Site Profile Page
Tucson International Airport Area 
Tucson International Airport AreaThe 10-square-mile Tucson International Airport Area Superfund site is located in Tucson, Arizona. The site includes Tucson International Airport, portions of the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation, residential areas in Tucson and South Tucson, and the Air Force Plant #44 Raytheon Missile Systems Company (AFP44). At least 20 facilities have operated on site since 1942, including aircraft and electronics facilities, a fire-drill training facility, and unlined landfills. Industrial use and disposal of wastes began in the 1940s. Because of widespread groundwater and soil contamination, EPA placed the site on the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1983. Cleanup includes ongoing groundwater treatment at AFP44 and the airport. Soil treatment is also ongoing. Water is treated and returned to the municipal water supply for use as drinking water. Tucson International Airport remains operational. Today, ongoing industrial activities at the site include machining, surface preparation, surface coating, metal plating and missile parts assembly. At least 124 businesses operate on site, generating over $458 million in annual sales. The businesses employ nearly 4,200 people. The Federal Aviation Administration and Arizona Department of Transportation funded the $14.3-million solar panel installation project with a matching contribution by the Tucson Airport Authority. As of late January 2019, the solar panels have generated 16.3 million kilowatt hours of energy. The design also includes “green walls” vegetated with plants that provide cool climate conditions under the solar panel installation.
Last updated September 2019
As of December 2019, EPA had data on 116 on-site businesses. These businesses employed 6,635 people and generated an estimated $1,284,965,078 in annual sales revenue. For additional information click here.
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