Across the United States, more than 1,300 contaminated sites remain on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Priorities List under the Superfund program. These sites — often legacies of industrial pollution — pose severe risks to public health and the environment.
Superfund remediation is a massive undertaking. Projects can span decades and face challenges such as evolving contaminants, funding gaps, and the technical complexity of sediment cleanup. Many of these sites lie in dense urban areas, where cleanup teams must work in tight spaces, minimize disruption, and address environmental justice concerns.
In 2025, the EPA directed $1 billion toward the cleanup of 25 Superfund sites — 75% of which are in historically underserved communities. This new wave of investment brings both opportunity and responsibility: transforming hazardous land into revitalized spaces that benefit residents, wildlife, and local economies.
To support this transformation, experts at Jacobs share six proven principles for successful urban sediment remediation — from preplanning to reuse.
1. Measure Twice, Cut Once: Prioritize Preparation
Effective remediation starts with deep understanding — of the sediment, its chemistry, and its toxicity. Pilot studies, accurate modeling, and site-specific dosing plans are critical. Equally vital is logistical foresight: securing access routes through urban landscapes, obtaining permits, and minimizing disruption to nearby homes and businesses. Early engagement with utilities and property owners can save months of delay.
2. Engage Stakeholders and Integrate Local Communities
Long-term remediation requires long-term relationships. Transparent communication, multilingual outreach, and visible inclusion of local workers help build community trust. Using local suppliers and employing area residents create ambassadors for the project and stimulate local economies.
“Community acceptance relies on deep planning efforts done long before any boots hit the ground,” says a Jacobs project manager. “It’s about understanding and minimizing how people’s lives will be affected.”
3. Build Flexible Teams and Processes
No matter how strong the plan, challenges will arise — from weather extremes to supply chain delays. Teams that can adapt while maintaining a culture of safety are key. Jacobs’ “Culture of Caring℠” emphasizes safety routines and empowers workers to halt operations when conditions change.
“We recorded more than one million work hours without an incident,” notes Joe Corrado, Jacobs Program Manager. “That success comes from empowering every team member to act when something doesn’t look right.”
4. Leverage Technology Strategically
Modern tools such as CAT Command remote excavators and 4D design modeling enhance safety, accuracy, and efficiency. Remote video diagnostics and digital collaboration platforms accelerate troubleshooting and stakeholder communication. However, human expertise remains essential — especially in identifying hidden field obstacles and making on-the-spot judgments.
5. Use Innovative Treatments for Constrained Sites
Urban remediation often means working in extremely limited spaces. Strategies like floating barge systems and just-in-time logistics reduce on-site congestion. Advanced treatment methods — including in situ bioremediation (ISB) and subaqueous in situ stabilization (ISS) — can treat contaminants directly in place, reducing cost, time, and carbon footprint.
These precision-based approaches are especially valuable for the final 10% of difficult contaminants found in complex Superfund sediments.
6. Think Beyond Cleanup: Deliver Community Benefits
Successful remediation doesn’t end with soil or water quality. Reusing clean sediment and repurposing land for public spaces or community facilities creates enduring value. In one example, Jacobs worked with a non-profit in Massachusetts to repurpose 15,000 cubic yards of clean fill from another site to restore a remediated saltmarsh — reducing truck traffic and supporting ecosystem recovery.
“Turning waste into community assets helps build both environmental and social resilience,” says Corrado.
A Blueprint for Sustainable Urban Renewal
Urban sediment remediation demands technical excellence, community empathy, and long-term vision. By integrating preparation, innovation, and inclusive engagement, Superfund cleanups can achieve more than compliance — they can redefine urban renewal and restore public trust in environmental progress.
