Gainesville Superfund Site Begins Pipe Work

Crews began preparing to replace an existing stormwater ditch with a new pipe system at the Cabot/Koppers Superfund site in Gainesville this week. Alachua County confirmed that the work marks the start of the next phase of the long-running cleanup project.

Chris Gilbert, the county’s hazardous materials program manager, stated that this week is the first of preparation following recent regulatory approval. The stormwater management conveyance pipe system will replace the open ditch. Gilbert said this specific construction task will run from November through the end of January.

The Environmental Protection Agency approved a plan that includes both the pipe replacement and the removal of contaminated soil. Officials expect the soil removal to be completed by February. These actions are part of a larger strategy to address decades of contamination at the site.

An underground barrier is also planned for construction between March and July of next year. Gilbert explained that the wall is designed to contain the contamination rather than remove it entirely. This approach aims to manage the site’s impact on the surrounding environment.

Residents have raised concerns about the Cabot/Koppers site for many years, citing issues with water quality and wildlife. During a recent visit to the area, warning signs instructed people to avoid contact with the soil and water. The new infrastructure work aims to address these longstanding environmental hazards.

The schedule for the upcoming months is fixed. The pipe work concludes in January, soil removal finishes in February, and the underground wall construction ends in July. Each step follows the sequence approved by federal and local authorities.