Superfund - Cleanup of Uncontrolled
Hazardous Waste Sites
Superfund is the federal government’s program to clean up the nation's most serious uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. It is also the name of the fund established by
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended. There are several steps involved in cleaning up a hazardous waste site. When citizens,
state agencies, or others report a site to EPA, EPA follows a step-by-step process to determine the best way to clean up the site and protect human health and the environment.
The Superfund cleanup process involves steps taken to assess sites, place some on the National Priorities List, and establish and implement appropriate cleanup plans.
In addition, the Agency has the authority to:
- conduct removal actions where immediate action needs to be taken;
- enforce against potentially responsible parties;
- ensure community involvement;
- involve states; and
- ensure long-term protectiveness.
Over the past 30+ years, EPA has located and analyzed tens of thousands of hazardous waste sites, protected people and the environment from contamination, held polluters accountable,
and involved communities in the cleanup.
Click on each of the steps below to see where you can actively participate in OSWER Superfund processes.
Community Engagement Opportunities
Explanation of Step
Preliminary Assessment / Site Inspection
The preliminary assessment (PA) involves gathering historical and other available information about site conditions to evaluate whether the site poses a threat to
human health and the environment and whether further investigation is needed. During the SI, environmental and waste samples are collected to determine what hazardous
substances are present and whether they are being released to the environment and are a threat to human health.
Hazard Ranking System
Information about the site that is collected in the PA/SI phase helps EPA to evaluate the threats posed by the site using its
Hazard Ranking System (HRS).
Sites that score at or above an established level qualify for cleanup under the Superfund and can be proposed for listing on the National Priorities List (NPL), a list
of the most serious sites identified for long-term cleanup.
Explanation of Step
National Priorities List (NPL) Listing Process
The NPL primarily guides the EPA in determining which sites warrant further investigation. Information about the site collected in the PA/SI phase helps
EPA to evaluate the risks posed by the site using its Hazard Ranking System (HRS). Sites with a sufficiently high HRS score qualify for cleanup under the
Superfund and can be proposed for the NPL, a list of the most serious sites identified for long-term cleanup. If, after assessing public comment, EPA believes
the site should be listed, then it is formally placed on the NPL.
Explanation of Step
Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS)
After a site is listed on the NPL, EPA performs a remedial investigation (RI) to gather data needed to determine the type and extent of contamination at a site
and to determine the amount of cleanup needed and associated costs. After the RI has begun, EPA conducts a feasibility study (FS), which presents a detailed analysis
of alternatives for cleaning up the site. EPA includes the results of the detailed analysis in an RI/FS report which provides the basis for EPA to identify a preferred
cleanup alternative.
TASC – Technical Assistance Services for Communities
TAG – Technical Assistance Grant
Explanation of Step
Proposed Plan / Record of Decision (ROD)
EPA prepares a Proposed Plan that presents the Preferred Alternative to the public. The Proposed Plan briefly summarizes the alternatives studied in the
detailed analysis phase of the RI/FS, highlighting the key factors that led to identifying the Preferred Alternative. The detailed analysis evaluates the alternatives with respect to:
- Overall protection of human health and the environment;
- Compliance with Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs);
- Long-term effectiveness and permanence;
- Reduction of toxicity, mobility or volume;
- Short-term effectiveness;
- Implementability;
- Cost;
- State acceptance; and
- Community acceptance.
Public comment is taken on the Proposed Plan. The Agency responds to the public comments, and then issues a Record of Decision (ROD) selecting the cleanup plan for the site.
Prior to the start of the Remedial Investigation, EPA conducts the community engagement activities as shown in the diagram above.
PRP: Potentially Responsible Party
RA: Remedial Action
Explanation of Step
Remedial Design/Remedial Action (RD/RA)
Remedial Design/Remedial Action (RD/RA): EPA or PRP designs and implements the cleanup remedy selected in the Record of Decision (ROD).
To learn more about the Remedial Design / Remedial Action processes, please see the RD/RA Handbook
Explanation of Step
Operation and Maintenance (O&M)/Five-Year Review
During the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) phase, EPA conducts detailed O&M activities to maintain the remedy and ensure that it remains protective of
human health and the environment over the long-term. EPA also is required to conduct a review of the remedy every five years. The review may include examining site
data, inspecting the site, taking new samples, and talking with affected residents.
For more information on Operation and Maintenance,
click here: http://www.epa.gov/superfund/cleanup/postconstruction/operate.htm
Community Engagement Initiative (CEI)
EPA encourages communities to be involved in all phases of a site cleanup. Communities can provide input about a site’s history, the community’s
concerns about the site, and any plans to redevlop the site.
