Project Background
The Tremont City Barrel Fill Site occupies approximately 8.5 acres on the northwestern portion of a larger 80-acre property that also includes the permitted, closed Tremont City Landfill and the former permitted, now Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)-closed Tremont City Waste Transfer Facility. The Barrel Fill area was developed as a permitted industrial waste disposal facility and operated under the regulatory requirements and oversight in place at the time. In 1976, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) issued a permit for the disposal of industrial sludges and solids within the Barrel Fill area, which subsequently accepted both containerized and non-containerized industrial wastes. Between 1976 and 1979, approximately 51,500 drums and 300,000 gallons of industrial wastes were placed within a series of engineered disposal cells. Disposal operations ended in 1980, and a soil cover was placed over the area. Additional soil was added in subsequent years, resulting in a cover that now ranges from approximately 10 to 17 feet in thickness over the disposal area.
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Since disposal activities ceased, the site has undergone extensive environmental investigations, engineering evaluations, and cleanup planning under the oversight of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Based on the findings of those investigations, USEPA selected a comprehensive remedy for the site, and the organizations responsible for implementing the cleanup formed the Responsible Environmental Solutions Alliance II (RESA II). Through a Consent Decree with USEPA, RESA II is conducting the design and implementation of the approved remedy under USEPA oversight. Over the past several years, engineers, scientists, and environmental professionals have worked to develop a detailed cleanup plan that meets USEPA requirements and provides a long-term solution for managing site materials while protecting human health and the environment.
Project Coordination & Community Engagement
The Tremont City Barrel Fill cleanup involves coordination among USEPA, Ohio EPA, local governments, public health agencies, RESA II, and other community stakeholders. Throughout the cleanup process, these organizations work together to share information, address community concerns, and support implementation of the approved remedy.
USEPA serves as the lead regulatory agency for the project and is responsible for reviewing and approving key project documents, overseeing cleanup activities, and making regulatory decisions related to the site. Community members are encouraged to ask questions and remain engaged throughout the cleanup process. Questions submitted through this website may be reviewed by the project team and shared with USEPA, as appropriate. USEPA remains the primary agency responsible for responding to regulatory questions and matters related to site decision-making.
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Project updates will continue to be shared through USEPA outreach efforts, public meetings, fact sheets, project updates, and information made available through this website.
Site Access During Cleanup
For the safety of workers and the public, access to active construction areas will be restricted during cleanup operations. Site activities involving excavation, waste handling, material transportation, and construction must be conducted in accordance with project-specific health and safety requirements.
Once active remediation work begins, unscheduled public access to work areas will not be permitted. Any authorized site visits must be arranged in advance and conducted in compliance with applicable health, safety, and site access requirements. These measures help ensure the safety of visitors while allowing cleanup activities to be performed efficiently and safely.
Next Steps
Over the past two years, RESA II and its technical team have completed the Remedial Design process, which establishes the engineering criteria, technical specifications, drawings, and implementation plans for the approved cleanup remedy. Consistent with USEPA requirements, the design was developed and reviewed through multiple phases before submission of the final (100%) Remedial Design package in August 2026. The project is now transitioning into the Remedial Action phase, which includes construction and implementation of the approved remedy. The cleanup activities are based on USEPA's selected remedy and the subsequent refinements incorporated into the design process.
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Current efforts are focused on pre-construction planning, permitting, procurement, contractor mobilization, and preparation for field activities. RESA II is currently preparing to mobilize for pre-authorized work beginning October 12, 2026, while USEPA continues its review of the final design package and associated remedial action documents. Following USEPA approval of the final design, implementation of the full cleanup remedy will proceed.
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Major elements of the remedy include removal of the existing soil cover, excavation of buried drums and waste materials, off-site transportation and disposal of designated waste streams, construction of a modern multi-barrier engineered containment cell, and long-term groundwater monitoring and leachate management systems. Throughout the project, USEPA will continue to provide regulatory oversight to help ensure that the remedy is implemented safely and in accordance with approved plans.
History Timeline
Ohio EPA issued a permit for operation of the Tremont City Barrel Fill area as an industrial waste disposal facility. Between 1976 and 1979, approximately 51,500 drums and 300,000 gallons of industrial waste were managed within approximately 50 disposal cells at the site.
Disposal activities at the Tremont City Barrel Fill area concluded in 1980. Following site closure, a soil cover was placed over the disposal area and was expanded in subsequent years to further isolate site materials. Today, the cover ranges from approximately 10 to 17 feet in thickness.
EPA initiated environmental investigations at the Tremont City Barrel Fill area to better understand site conditions and support development of a long-term cleanup strategy.
USEPA and a group of potentially responsible parties (PRPs) reached an agreement to support additional site investigations and USEPA oversight activities, helping move the project toward development of a long-term cleanup strategy.
A comprehensive Remedial Investigation was conducted to better understand site conditions. The investigation found that many of the waste cells and drums remained intact and provided critical information used to evaluate cleanup alternatives and develop a long-term remedy for the site.
Following completion of the Feasibility Study, USEPA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) that documented the selected cleanup remedy for the Tremont City Barrel Fill Site. The ROD established the framework for future design and implementation of the long-term cleanup.
Ohio EPA conducted groundwater monitoring and evaluation activities at the site. The results provided valuable information regarding groundwater conditions and supported the continued development of the site's long-term cleanup strategy.
USEPA issued an Explanation of Significant Differences (ESD) that updated portions of the 2011 cleanup plan based on additional information gathered during site investigations and planning efforts. The revised approach helped guide the next stages of design and cleanup preparation.
USEPA and the Responsible Environmental Solutions Alliance II (RESA II) entered into a Consent Decree under which RESA II agreed to perform the Remedial Design and Remedial Action for the Tremont City Barrel Fill Site under EPA oversight. This milestone formally initiated the design and implementation phase of the cleanup.
USEPA held a public meeting to provide information on the planned cleanup and next steps for the Tremont City Barrel Fill Site. During the same period, a Pre-Design Investigation (PDI) was completed to collect additional information needed to support development of the site's Remedial Design.
Groundwater monitoring was conducted to update information on site conditions and assist in developing the monitoring approach for the cleanup. USEPA approved the Remedial Design Work Plan in July 2024, and RESA II submitted the preliminary 30 percent Remedial Design for EPA review in October 2024.
USEPA approved the revised 30 percent Remedial Design, allowing the project to advance to the next stage of design development. RESA II submitted the pre-final (95 percent) Remedial Design in December 2025 and completed the first required baseline groundwater and surface water monitoring event in late 2025 to establish pre-construction conditions for future comparison during cleanup activities.
The second required baseline groundwater and surface water monitoring event was completed in July 2026. On August 3, 2026, RESA II submitted the Final (100 percent) Remedial Design and Remedial Action Work Plan to EPA for review and approval. USEPA’s review is ongoing, and the documents have not yet received final approval.
USEPA and RESA II are committed to keeping the community informed throughout the cleanup process. Project updates, key milestones, and other important information will be shared through public outreach efforts and posted in the project update section of this website.
For additional information about the Tremont City Barrel Fill Site and ongoing cleanup activities, please visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) project webpage, where you can access project updates, technical documents, and other site-related information. USEPA - Tremont Field Site.
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You may also use the Contact Us page on this website to submit questions or request additional information. Questions received through this website will be reviewed by the project team and shared with EPA, as appropriate, to help ensure community members receive accurate and timely information regarding the cleanup project
Community Outreach
Groundwater and surface water monitoring will be conducted before, during, and after cleanup activities in accordance with the Site-Wide Monitoring Plan. Monitoring data will be used to evaluate site conditions and support implementation of the approved remedy.
Groundwater & Surface Water Monitoring
Waste transportation activities will be conducted in accordance with approved transportation plans and applicable local requirements. Consistent with the permit and transportation requirements established with the Village of Tremont City, trucks transporting waste materials from the Tremont City Barrel Fill Site through the Village will be accompanied by escort vehicles equipped with spill response equipment.
Traffic Control
The protection of workers, the surrounding community, and the environment is a primary objective of the cleanup. Cleanup activities will be performed in accordance with USEPA-approved plans, applicable federal, state, and local requirements, and project-specific health, safety, monitoring, and environmental control measures designed to help manage potential impacts associated with site activities.
Protection of People & the Environment
Cleanup activities will be performed in accordance with USEPA-approved plans, technical specifications, and quality assurance procedures. Environmental data, construction activities, and field operations will be documented and reviewed to help ensure the remedy is implemented as designed.
Quality Assurance & Quality Control (QA/QC)
A Perimeter Air Monitoring Program will be implemented during waste cell excavation, drum removal, and waste management activities. Dust suppression measures, odor controls, and air monitoring will be utilized throughout these activities in accordance with USEPA-approved plans and project-specific action levels.
Real Time Air Monitoring & Dust Control
Health & Safety
