Superfund Site Proximity Checker
Check how close EPA Superfund NPL contamination sites are to your ZIP code. See nearby cleanup sites, risk scores, and soil testing recommendations.
- Distance to nearest Superfund NPL site with cleanup status
- Contamination risk score (0-100) based on proximity and site count
- Soil and water testing recommendations for nearby residents
How This Tool Works
- Enter your ZIP code — we look up EPA Superfund NPL sites near your location.
- Review proximity risk — see your distance to the nearest site, number of sites nearby, and risk score.
- Understand site status — active cleanup sites pose more risk than completed or deleted ones.
- Get recommendations — soil and water testing guidance if you live near contaminated sites.
Superfund NPL Risk Levels Explained
| Risk Level | Score Range | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Very High | 65–100 | NPL site within 1–2 km, often with active cleanup. Groundwater and soil may be affected. |
| High | 45–64 | Multiple NPL sites within 10 km or very close single site. Consider soil/water testing. |
| Moderate | 25–44 | NPL sites within 10–15 km. Low direct risk but worth monitoring. |
| Low | 10–24 | Sites within 25 km but no immediate proximity concerns. |
| Very Low | 0–9 | No NPL sites nearby. Minimal contamination risk from Superfund sources. |
Why Superfund Proximity Matters
EPA Superfund sites represent the nation's most contaminated locations. There are approximately 1,300 active NPL sites across the United States, with contaminants that can migrate through groundwater, soil, and air for miles from the original source.
Living near an active Superfund site may affect property values (studies show 5–15% reduction within 3 miles), well water quality, and soil safety for gardening. The EPA provides free site information and health assessments for communities near NPL sites.
Search EPA Superfund sites in your area with detailed contamination and cleanup information.
EPA Superfund Site Search →The EPA maintains detailed profiles for each Superfund site including contaminants, cleanup progress, and community resources.
What Is the NPL?
The National Priorities List (NPL) is the EPA's registry of the most seriously contaminated sites in the United States. Currently approximately 1,300 sites remain on the active NPL, with over 450 deleted after successful cleanup. To qualify, a site must score 28.5 or higher on the Hazard Ranking System (HRS), which evaluates contamination risk across four pathways: groundwater migration, surface water runoff, soil exposure, and air emissions.
Once listed, a Superfund site goes through a multi-phase cleanup process that averages 15+ years from listing to completion. The process moves from investigation through remedy selection to active construction and long-term monitoring. Even after a site is deleted from the NPL, the EPA continues periodic reviews to ensure the remedy remains protective. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (2021) provided $3.5 billion in additional funding — the largest investment in the program's history.
| Cleanup Phase | What Happens | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Assessment / Site Inspection (PA/SI) | EPA evaluates contamination reports, collects samples, and calculates the HRS score to determine NPL eligibility. | 1–2 years |
| Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study (RI/FS) | Detailed characterization of contamination extent, risk assessment, and evaluation of cleanup alternatives. | 2–4 years |
| Record of Decision (ROD) | EPA selects the cleanup remedy, sets cleanup standards, and opens a public comment period. | 6–12 months |
| Remedial Design / Remedial Action (RD/RA) | Engineering design followed by active cleanup construction — soil removal, groundwater treatment, containment systems. | 3–8 years |
| Construction Complete | Physical cleanup infrastructure is built and operating. Monitoring confirms the remedy is working. | Ongoing monitoring |
| Deletion from NPL | EPA determines all cleanup goals are met. Five-year reviews continue to ensure long-term protection. | After all goals met |
Source: EPA Superfund Cleanup Process, EPA National Priorities List documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Superfund site?
A Superfund site is a location contaminated by hazardous waste that has been placed on the EPA's National Priorities List (NPL) for long-term cleanup. These sites are designated under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980. There are approximately 1,300 active NPL sites across the United States, ranging from former industrial facilities to abandoned waste dumps.
How close to a Superfund site is considered dangerous?
The EPA considers residents within 1 mile (1.6 km) of a Superfund site to be in the most affected zone, though contaminants can migrate further through groundwater. Studies by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) have found elevated health risks within 1 to 3 miles depending on the contaminant type, local geology, and groundwater flow direction.
Does living near a Superfund site affect property values?
Yes. Research published in the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management shows properties within 3 miles of a Superfund site sell for 5 to 15 percent less than comparable homes further away. Property values typically recover partially after EPA cleanup is completed, but the stigma effect can persist for years after remediation.
How can I find out what chemicals are at a nearby Superfund site?
The EPA maintains detailed profiles for every NPL site at epa.gov/superfund, including lists of contaminants found, cleanup status, and health assessments. You can also request a Community Involvement Plan or attend public meetings held by the EPA for sites in your area. The ATSDR provides toxicological profiles explaining health effects of specific chemicals.
What is the EPA doing to clean up Superfund sites?
The EPA uses a multi-phase process: site assessment, remedial investigation, feasibility study, and then active cleanup. As of 2024, over 450 sites have been cleaned up and deleted from the NPL. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (2021) provided an additional $3.5 billion for Superfund cleanup, the largest investment in the program's history.
Data Sources & Methodology
Data Sources
- EPA Superfund NPL — All ~1,300 active NPL sites with locations, status, and HRS scores
- EPA Envirofacts — Geospatial coordinates for NPL site locations
Methodology
We calculate haversine distance from your ZIP code centroid to each NPL site location. Risk scores factor in distance to nearest site (weighted heaviest), number of sites within 25 km, cleanup status (active > proposed > completed), and HRS hazard ranking scores. Very close proximity to active sites produces the highest scores.