Nonresidential

This includes properties around and downstream of the Eastman facility along Snow Creek and Highway 78.

An excavator removes dirt from a surface.

About the study

The lateral study bounds for nonresidential areas were based on the limits of the Snow Creek 100-year floodplain and drainage areas downstream of the 11th Street ditch.

Snow Creek is a small drainageway that flows through Anniston into the city of Oxford before merging with Choccolocco Creek south of Interstate 20, near the Choccolocco Creek wastewater treatment facility. Two areas outside of the 100-year floodplain are also included — one southwest of the Eastman facility near a former landfill and a second south of Highway 78 in Zone Oxford Lake Neighborhood.

Although these areas are outside the floodplain, they are associated with prior investigations. Other nonresidential areas that were addressed under previous investigations include the 11th Street ditch and West 9th Street ditch.

Remedies

The EPA has selected cleanup actions to address PCB contamination in soil, groundwater, creek banks and sediment.

Interim measures (IM)

This includes expanding previously implemented interim measures to provide spatial coverage and assessing if a principal threat waste (PTW) could exist east of the Anniston facility. If PTW is found, a plan to address it will be developed in the remedial design.

Dredge spoil piles

This includes removal, off-site disposal and soil sampling beneath the five dredge spoil piles located near Snow Creek. It also includes long-term soil management plans for areas underneath dredge spoil piles with residual PCBs greater than or equal to 1 mg/kg.

Nonresidential soils

This includes removal and off-site disposal of surface and subsurface soil with PCB concentrations greater than 21 mg/kg and 97 mg/kg, respectively, as well as long-term soil management for residual soil with PCB concentrations greater than or equal to 1 mg/kg.

Soil and groundwater at T-11

This includes removal and off-site disposal of 4 feet of soil in a 20 foot radius from the T-11 well and the upper 18-inch horizon across the broader area, placing a low-permeability cap over the area and treating groundwater from new wells installed in the area.

Sediment/bank soils

This includes stabilizing creek banks and removing sediment with PCB concentrations greater than or equal to 3 mg/kg. It also includes removing sediment containing non-PCB constituents at concentrations greater than their respective remedial goals.

An underground utility marker sticks up in a grassy field.

Field investigations

Field investigations by Solutia continue in the Anniston area to support the engineering design for upcoming cleanup actions. Part of this process includes landowners letting Solutia access their land to collect data. Field investigations included the following:

Nonresidential areas

Confirm land use conditions and collect additional samples to identify the extent of soil cleanup actions still needed.

Groundwater

Collect samples near the plant to assess whether groundwater needs to be addressed and, if so, identify the appropriate treatment.

Sediment

Evaluate sediment deposits in Snow Creek to identify those that need to be addressed.

These field investigations are complete. Solutia will then prepare and submit a data evaluation report to the EPA.

Soil management

Long-term management is needed for properties with PCBs greater than or equal to 1 mg/kg.

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Upcoming activities

An engineering design will be created by Solutia after the EPA approves the data evaluation report and cleanup plan. The design considers public safety, effectiveness, and reducing community impacts, including possible traffic disruptions.

A soil management program will also be established using the Alabama 811 utility service to assess intrusive work by others and determine if Solutia’s assistance is needed to handle PCB-containing material.

Once the EPA approves the design, cleanup will begin. This typically involves obtaining property access permission, hiring contractors, performing cleanup actions, inspecting the completed work and preparing a report documenting the cleanup.

Wooden markers are placed in dirt at a construction site.

Anticipated timeline

2026: Finalize the engineering design

2027: Begin cleanup

2028: Complete cleanup and prepare a summary report