OSWER/OSRTI

Washington, DC 20460

NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST (NPL) 

[The description of the site (release) is based on information available at the time the site was evaluated with the HRS. The description may change 

as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination.]

For more information about the hazardous substances identified in this narrative summary, including general information regarding the effects of exposure to these 

substances on human health, please see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) ToxFAQs. ATSDR ToxFAQs can be found on the Internet 

at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq html or by telephone at 1-888-42-ATSDR or 1-888-422-8737.

***Final Site*** March 2012 

SOUTHEASTERN WOOD PRESERVING Canton, Mississippi

Madison County 

 Site Location:

The Southeastern Wood Preserving site is a 25-acre property located in the northernmost part of the City of Canton, 

Mississippi. The site is bordered on one side by Batchelor Creek. 

 Site History:

Between 1928 and 1979 several companies conducted wood treating operations at the site. Coal tar creosote and 

pentachlorophenol (PCP) were used as wood preservatives. Three unlined wastewater treatment surface impoundments 

were constructed for disposal of wood preserving treatment sludges and process wastewater. Prior to 1977, the facility 

reportedly discharged approximately 50,000 gallons of wastewater directly into Batchelor Creek. 

 Site Contamination/Contaminants:

Soil, sediment and ground water are contaminated with creosote and creosote-related compounds. Investigations have 

identified that free-phase creosote is entering Batchelor Creek along a stretch of approximately 700 feet. The downstream 

extent of sediment impact was determined to extend at least 4,500 feet downstream. Ground water sampling found 17 

chemicals at levels above three times background and above Mississippi Target Remediation Goals (TRGs) or the EPA’s 

Safe Drinking Water Act Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).

 Potential Impacts on Surrounding Community/Environment: 

Creosote and creosote-related contamination has been documented in Batchelor Creek, which flows through a city park, a 

residential area and downtown Canton before it enters Bear Creek. Batchelor Creek is used for fishing and recreational 

purposes by residents. The original site area extends into what are now residential properties and it is not known if 

contamination exists on or under these properties. 

 Response Activities (to date):

The EPA excavated and stabilized approximately 8,000 cubic yards of contaminated sludge found in the three 

impoundments. A containment cell was constructed to contain the soil. The EPA has excavated contaminated sediment 

from Batchelor Creek adjacent to the site and has constructed a second containment cell for this material. A slurry wall was 

constructed to prevent any additional creosote from flowing into Batchelor Creek. 

 Need for NPL Listing:

The State of Mississippi referred the site to the EPA because of soil contamination and the large area of contaminated 

sediments in Batchelor Creek. Other federal and state cleanup programs were evaluated, but are not viable at this time. The 

EPA received a letter of support for placing this site on the NPL from the state.