The Highlands Acid Pit is located on the bank of the San Jacinto River in Highlands, Harris County, Texas. The 18-acre site appears to be an excavated sand pit in which spent sulfuric acid sludges from an unknown chemical process were dumped in the early 1950s. The highly acid sludge contains heavy metals and organic chemicals.
Strong odors emanate from the site during hot, dry weather.
Contaminants have been discovered in run-off, as well as in ground water at the site. The area is subsiding, and portions of the property are under water. The work is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 1984. The description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination.