EPA Marks Cleanup Progress at the Hastings Groundwater Superfund Site with the Proposed Deletions of Operable Units 2 and 10

EPA Marks Cleanup Progress at the Hastings Groundwater Superfund Site with the Proposed Deletions of Operable Units 2 and 10

March 4, 2026

LENEXA, KAN. (MARCH 4, 2026) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing the deletions of Operable Units 2 and 10 from the Hastings Groundwater Contamination Superfund site in Hastings, Nebraska, after achieving their respective cleanup goals.

The primary cleanup goal of Operable Unit (OU) 2 was restoring contaminated groundwater to levels that would allow for its beneficial reuse. The remedial action for the source control at this subsite, OU10, was to install an improved landfill cap and to restrict public access and future use of the landfill. While no additional cleanup is expected in the North Landfill Subsite, the area will still be subject to operation and maintenance activities, and regular Five-Year Reviews that make determinations on the remedy's continued protectiveness of human health and the environment.

"The work being done - and that has been completed - at the Hastings Groundwater site is critical to the long-term cleanup of the site," said EPA Region 7 Superfund Director Bob Jurgens. "The site was listed in 1986 and contains seven subsites and 21 operable units. While we still have much more work to do, the deletion of two operable units is a sign of progress and stewardship under EPA's supervision."

During cleanups, large and complex Superfund sites are often divided into distinct areas called Operable Units (OUs). Dividing Superfund sites into OUs may be done geographically or to address specific problems, or mediums - such as groundwater or source soils - where specific cleanup actions are required.

Deleting OU2 and OU10 from the Hastings Groundwater Superfund site represents a "partial deletion," where EPA deletes portions of Superfund sites on the National Priorities List (NPL). Deleting a site, or a portion of a site, from the NPL illustrates Superfund cleanup success. It signals to communities that no further cleanup is required to protect human health or the environment and is an important milestone in the process of returning the land to productive economic use.

To submit a public comment on the proposal, please visit the Federal Register docketExit EPA's website. Comments regarding the proposed action must be submitted on or before April 3, 2026.

Learn more about the Hastings Groundwater Superfund site.

Learn more about the Superfund cleanup process.

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