EPA Reduces Toxic Vapors at Asheville Superfund Site
The EPA confirmed a 98% reduction in chemical vapors at the former CTS plant on Mills Gap Road.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Environmental
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The EPA has announced a 98% reduction in toxic chemical vapors at the CTS of Asheville Superfund Site, bringing Trichloroethylene concentrations below protective levels. Cleanup efforts at the nine-acre site have been underway since 2017.
Why it matters
This progress addresses long-standing environmental concerns at a site identified as an immediate health threat in 2002. The agency is now seeking a $7.61 million settlement from responsible parties to recover costs for the decontamination process.
The EPA utilized a vapor recovery system to achieve the 98% reduction, with current Trichloroethylene concentrations now falling below safety thresholds. The agency plans to suspend this system while maintaining quarterly air monitoring.
The players
Environmental Protection Agency
This federal agency is responsible for the protection of human health and the environment through the regulation of hazardous waste sites.
CTS Corporation
This company is one of three parties identified as responsible for the repayment of cleanup costs at the Asheville site.
Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
This major aerospace and defense technology company is listed as a responsible party for the site remediation costs.
The details
The CTS plant operated at the Asheville property from 1959 to 1986, eventually leading the EPA to discover toxic chemicals in the soil and water by 1990. The agency is currently pursuing repayment from CTS Corporation, Mills Gap Road Associates, and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation.
Timeline
The CTS plant operated in Asheville from 1959 to 1986.
The EPA discovered toxic chemicals in the soil and water in 1990.
The site was identified as an immediate health threat by 2002.
Cleanup efforts began in 2017.
The EPA announced the 98% vapor reduction on October 19, 2026.
The Big Picture
The remediation efforts at the site follow the standard protocols established by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. This work marks a shift toward long-term monitoring as the cleanup reaches its performance targets.
Residents in the area can expect the transition to quarterly air monitoring as the site moves toward a post-mitigation safety phase. The ongoing recovery of cleanup costs ensures that taxpayer resources remain prioritized for other regional environmental hazards.
The takeaway
The successful mitigation of toxic vapors marks a significant milestone in the decades-long restoration of the Mills Gap Road property. Nearby residents should note that while active vapor recovery is suspending, the EPA will continue to oversee air quality via routine monitoring.
What happens next
The three responsible parties have a 30-day window to remit payment to the EPA once the settlement agreement formally takes effect.
Further reading
For more information on ongoing regional decontamination, visit the Asheville Environmental section.
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