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Arkla Terra Property
National Information
Photos/Multimedia
Arkla Terra Site
Additional Resources
- Site Cleanup Terms - can be found in EPA's glossary
- EPA Guides to Cleanup Technologies
- Superfund Community Involvement (PDF) (17 pp, 130K, About PDF)
Site Summary Profile
EPA ID: FLSFN0406909Location: Thonotosassa, Hillsborough County, FL
Lat/Long: 28.056442, -082.318435
Congressional District: 09/12
NPL Status: Proposed: 08/26/2008; Final: 04/08/2009
Affected Media: Ground water, Soil
Cleanup Status: Removal action underway; remedial investigation/feasibility study underway
Human Exposure Under Control: Yes
Ground water Migration Under Control: There is insufficient data to determine
Sitewide Ready for Anticipated Use: No
Site Reuse/Redevelopment: In continued use – commercial land uses are located on site
Site Manager: Beth Walden (walden.beth@epa.gov)
Current Site Status
The Arkla Terra Property site includes an area where companies operated an underground storage tank refurbishment facility from 1976 until 2006. EPA placed the site on the National Priorities List (NPL) in 2009 because of contaminated ground water and soil resulting from facility operations. Ground water contamination has affected private water wells. EPA, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), and the Hillsborough County Health Department have investigated site conditions and taken steps to clean up the site in order to protect people and the environment from contamination. Hillsborough County has connected properties with contaminated wells to the public water system.
EPA continues to sample private drinking water wells on and around the site regularly. In March 2012, EPA began a short-term cleanup, referred to as a removal action, to begin treating the source of the ground water and soil contamination. EPA is also continuing site investigations to evaluate the need for more cleanup activities. Through monitoring, investigations and ongoing cleanup actions, EPA, FDEP and Hillsborough County continue to protect people and the environment from site contamination.
Site Location and Background
The 8-acre site is located at 11706 U.S. Highway 301 in Thonotosassa, Florida, 16 miles northeast of Tampa. Site surroundings include residential areas to the west and south, agricultural lands to the north, and a bus refurbishing business to the east.
From 1976 through 2006, several private companies, including Arkla Terra Inc., used the site as an underground storage tank refurbishing facility. Operators stored over 500 storage tanks on the site property at one time, along with other types of containers. Operators used solvents, including tetrachloroethylene (also known as PCE or PERC), to clean the tanks prior to their repair.
In 2009, EPA listed the site on the NPL. Several businesses currently operate on site, including an accounting company, an environmental consulting firm, a concrete cutting business, an automotive store and a landscaping business.
Threats and Contaminants
Site investigations found contamination in ground water and soil affecting private drinking water wells that could potentially harm people in the area. Contamination resulted from activities at the site. Potential contaminants of concern include PCE.
EPA and its contractor have been collecting residential well water samples since 2009 between Ohio Avenue to the north and Joe Roberts Road to the south. Sampling has identified contamination in some wells. In coordination with the county health department and FDEP, EPA has provided filtration systems for these wells. Hillsborough County has also extended municipal water lines into affected areas to connect residences to the public water supply. Not all residents chose to connect to the public water system.
EPA continues to coordinate with residents in the area of interest to request permission to sample private wells. If EPA has selected your property for sampling, the Agency has already contacted you for your permission. If EPA has not contacted you regarding the need to sample your well, then the Agency does not need to sample your well at this time. For more information, contact the site’s Remedial Project Manager Beth Walden (walden.beth@epa.gov).
View a map of the area of interest.
In addition to the ground water investigation, EPA and its contractor have performed a site investigation to understand better the source of contamination and how far it has spread. The source of contamination appears to be limited to a surface area measuring 72 feet by 72 feet, down to about 55 feet below ground. The source of site contamination is about 8,400 cubic yards of PCE material.
The primary threat resulting from site contamination includes exposure to contaminated ground water. Another concern is the possibility of vapor intrusion into any building above the source area. The goal of EPA’s ongoing removal action is to reduce and remove PCE contamination in soil that is contributing to drinking water contamination as well as vapor contamination.
Investigation and Cleanup Responsibility / Oversight
EPA leads site investigation and cleanup activities in cooperation with FDEP.
Site Cleanup Plan
In June 2011, EPA issued an Action Memorandum outlining the cleanup plan for the site. The plan includes the following activities:
- Treating soil contamination and shallow ground water using heat.
- Fencing the treatment area.
- Transporting and disposing of wastes generated from the treatment process.
- Sampling air during the treatment process to check for harmful vapors.
- Sampling of soil and ground water after the treatment process to make sure the process worked properly.
- Restoring the site after completion of the cleanup.
EPA is currently collecting data to identify and delineate belowground soil contamination at the site. The assessment includes the collection of soil gas, soil and water samples from the site.
Cleanup Progress
In March 2012, EPA began the cleanup process, also known as a removal action, approved in the 2011 Action Memorandum.
EPA is also currently conducting a remedial investigation/feasibility study to evaluate whether the Agency will need to undertake more work to clean up any contamination not addressed as part of the ongoing removal action. As part of this investigation, EPA continues to sample on-site monitoring wells and select off-site private wells to assess ground water quality in the area.
Enforcement Activities
EPA is initially funding the cost of the removal action. EPA will later seek reimbursement from responsible parties. FDEP is paying for 10 percent of the cleanup’s cost.
Community Involvement
Community engagement and public outreach are core components of EPA program activities. EPA is working with the community and its state partner to develop a long-term cleanup plan for the site, reflecting the Agency’s commitment to safe, healthy communities and environmental protection.
EPA is conducting a range of community involvement activities to solicit community input and to make sure the public remains informed about site activities throughout the cleanup process. Outreach efforts have included fact sheets, public notices and public meetings.
In February 2010, EPA held a meeting to explain the residential ground water sampling process and the ongoing site investigation. EPA also held a meeting in summer 2011 to inform residents about the upcoming removal action.
Future Work
EPA continues to sample on-site monitoring wells and select off-site private wells to assess ground water quality in the area. These activities are part of EPA’s ongoing remedial investigation/feasibility study.
Additional Information
EPA keeps additional site documents and information in a site information repository at the location below. EPA also posts site documents, when available, on EPA’s CERCLIS Site Profile page. For documents not available on the website, please contact the Region 4 Freedom of Information Office.
Site Repository
EPA has not yet established an information repository for the site.