Latest cleanup efforts for contaminated Superfund site shared with Navassa residents

NAVASSA, NC (WWAY) — Brunswick County residents got a closer look Thursday at the latest cleanup plans for the former Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp.

Superfund site in Navassa, including efforts to address contaminated marshland and new findings of groundwater pollution.

The Multistate Environmental Response Trust and the Environmental Protection Agency outlined plans to clean up three areas of contaminated marshland on the site, where chemicals such as creosote have been found.

The Trust also shared findings showing groundwater contamination extending as deep as 90 feet below the surface.

Officials discussed a potential new approach to treating the creosote contamination using aeration, a process that involves pumping air into the ground.

Environmentalist and UNCW adjunct lecturer Roger Shew said researchers are examining whether the technique could help break down the contamination.

“Right now they’re looking at this aeration technique to see if, by pumping air into the subsurface, that can lead to an aerobic condition that would basically lead to the remediation,” said Shew.

The meeting gave residents an opportunity to hear about the latest findings and plans for addressing contamination at the former industrial site.

For more information about the Navassa Superfund site and the latest cleanup plans, visit the Multistate Trust’s website.