A nearly $150 million environmental cleanup project aimed at removing radioactive contamination from a section of the DuPage River and its tributary, Kress Creek, has officially concluded, resulting in the sites being removed from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Superfund list. The restored area, located in West Chicago and extending through Naperville, now supports thriving native plant life and recreational activities such as kayaking and canoeing.
The contamination originated from a now-defunct factory operated initially by Lindsay Light and Chemical Co. from 1932, which produced thorium and rare earth compounds used in gaslight mantles. The materials later served federal atomic energy programs. Over decades, sandlike mill tailings—radioactive byproducts of production—were improperly used as filler material for landscaping and construction. Runoff from the site eventually polluted Kress Creek and the West Branch of the DuPage River.
Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp. purchased the factory in 1967 and ceased operations in 1973. After years of legal disputes, a comprehensive cleanup was mandated for multiple contaminated sites, including the factory grounds, the West Chicago sewage treatment plant, Reed-Keppler Park, and residential properties. Contaminated soils were excavated and transported to disposal facilities in Nevada, Texas, and Utah beginning in the mid-1980s.
The portion of the river and creek under federal remediation was added to the Superfund list in 1991. The cleanup accelerated following a 2005 federal consent decree, with teams systematically removing polluted sediment, soils, and floodplain material. Work progressed from upstream to downstream segments, ending near the McDowell Dam in Naperville. Contaminated materials were removed and replaced with clean fill and vegetation, with restoration activities extending through 2025.
Local officials emphasized the scale and complexity of the project. DuPage County Board member Jim Zay, chair of the county’s stormwater committee, described the effort as vital to providing a safer environment and revitalizing the waterway for community use. Erik Neidy, director of natural resources for the DuPage County Forest Preserve District, noted that much of the land along the riverbanks is district property, prompting close cooperation in restoration and preservation efforts.
As part of the cleanup, river flows were temporarily redirected to allow safe access to contaminated areas. During this process, crews discovered beds of freshwater mussels, which the forest preserve district rescued and began breeding, launching an aquatic conservation program. The district also enhanced the river habitat by installing rock formations and riffles to improve ecological function and support recreational activities.
The EPA’s Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel remarked that the successful cleanup demonstrates the benefits of persistent scientific and collaborative efforts, resulting in a healthier environment and new opportunities for families and economic development. Today, the site shows little evidence of its hazardous past and serves as a restored ecosystem that supports wildlife and community recreation.