Newton County Mine Tailings
Newton County, Mo.
Site Description
The Newton County Mine Tailings site is part of the Tri-State Mining District, which encompasses
approximately 2,500-square miles of Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. The District's historic lead and zinc
production formerly ranked as one of the highest in the world with total ore production estimated at slightly
more than 500 million short tons. Located in the northern half of Newton County, Missouri, the site includes
wastes in and around 14 historic mining camps located within approximately 300-square miles of Newton
County. These locations have been grouped into five sub-districts. Past mining and milling practices resulted in
the contamination of surface soil, sediments, surface water and groundwater in the shallow aquifer. The
wastes constitute a significant source of heavy metals contamination with potential for exposure to people and
the environment. The primary contaminants of concern are lead, cadmium and zinc.
Current Site Status and Cleanup Actions to Date
•	In 1998, bottled water was provided to residences with contaminated private wells, and in 2003, more
than 100 miles of drinking water main supply lines were installed to provide water supplies to affected
properties. In addition, several hundred private wells were replaced. The drinking water phase of work
was completed in 2012.
•	Starting in 1999, more than 400 contaminated residential yards were cleaned up by a combination of
federal and private party work.
•	EPA placed the site on the National Priorities List in 2003.
•	The remedial investigation and feasibility study were completed in 2010 with selection of the final
remedy in the Record of Decision for the site. The remedy will excavate the contaminated materials in
the five sub-districts and consolidate them into a central repository located in a former mining area.
•	The design to implement the remedy was completed in 2012.
•	Although funding and completion of this project will result in environmental progress, it will not
eliminate all unacceptable human exposure pathways.
Unfunded Action
FY 2013 work that was not funded involved excavation of contaminated materials in the sub districts and
consolidation of those materials in a central repository.
Current Funding Status
To date, EPA has spent more than $30 million on construction work at this site.
For more information on this site, please read the Newton County Mine Tailings site information
on the Region 1 Superfund website.	


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