EPA Begins Final Cleanup of Ottawa Radiation Areas Superfund Site in Illinois
EPA will hold an availability session June 16 to answer questions about the cleanup
CHICAGO (June 9, 2025) – This summer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will begin the final cleanup of radium-contaminated soil at the Ottawa Radiation Areas Superfund site in Ottawa, Illinois. The NPL-8 landfill and frontage property is the remaining portion left to be cleaned up, located at U.S. Route 6 and Illinois Route 71.
EPA plans to survey the site, excavate soil for off-site disposal, and install monitoring wells. Trucks will offload excavated waste onto rail cars at a nearby rail spur. During cleanup, residents will notice increased noise, construction workers and heavy equipment. Crews will work with minimal disruption to the community while meeting strict environmental and safety standards.
On Monday, June 16, EPA representatives will be available to answer questions about the planned cleanup.
When:
Monday, June 16,
4:30 – 7:30 p.m. CDT
Where:
Ottawa City Hall
301 W. Madison St.
Ottawa, Illinois
Background:
The Ottawa Radiation Areas site consists of 16 areas contaminated by radioactive materials scattered throughout the city of Ottawa as well as locations outside the city. To date, EPA has completed cleanup at 15 of the 16 contaminated areas.
The contamination likely originated from the processing of wastes and demolition debris from the Radium Dial Co. between 1918 and 1936 and from Luminous Processes Inc. between 1937 and 1978. These businesses used radium-based paint to produce glowing dials for clocks and watches.
More information is available at the Ottawa Radiation Areas Superfund website.