Perham Arsenic Site

⚠ Superfund · Ready for anticipated reuse

The site’s long-term remedy included groundwater extraction and treatment, a removal action, a landfill cap, interim institutional controls and connection of one residence to the public water supply system. The resident received a public water supply connection in 1994.

Location

CityPerham
CountyOtter Tail County
StateMinnesota
Coordinates46.58778, -95.57166

Contaminants of concern

Contaminated media

Cleanup timeline

  1. Initial Assessment Completed — 07/01/1982
  2. Proposed to the National Priorities List — 09/08/1983
  3. Finalized on the National Priorities List — 09/21/1984
  4. Remedial Investigation Started — 09/28/1989
  5. Final Remedy Selected — 03/31/1994
  6. Remedial Action Started — 09/30/1996
  7. Final Remedial Action Started — 09/24/1999
  8. Construction Completed — 09/29/1998
  9. Deleted from National Priorities List — Not Yet Achieved
  10. Most Recent Five-Year Review — 07/23/2021

EPA references

EPA-regulated facilities nearby

Understanding this Superfund site

Perham Arsenic Site is a federal Superfund site in Minnesota. The Superfund program, created by Congress in 1980, addresses sites where hazardous substances have been released or threaten release into the environment. EPA scores potential sites using the Hazard Ranking System; those that score high enough are placed on the National Priorities List.

Current status: Ready for anticipated reuse. EPA considers this site ready for anticipated reuse, meaning cleanup has progressed enough for certain land uses. This does not necessarily mean all contamination has been removed — institutional controls like deed restrictions may limit how the land can be used.

Contaminants of concern include arsenic. Contamination has been detected in groundwater.

If you live near this site and have health concerns, your state health department can provide site-specific guidance. EPA maintains a community involvement program for most NPL sites, and site documents — including the Record of Decision, five-year reviews, and public health assessments — are typically available through EPA's Superfund site profile.