The Former Houston Wood
Preserving Works Site
Test Results will be used for a Health Risk Assessment expected this summer HOUSTON, May 5, 2025 – Union Pacific released the final round of results from the most extensive testing ever conducted in the area surrounding the former Houston Wood Preserving Works site (HWPW) in Houston’s Fifth Ward. The soil samples, collected under the …
Upcoming health risk assessment will determine next steps HOUSTON, April 2, 2025 – In collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Union Pacific released another round of soil test results from 143 properties near the former Houston Wood Preserving Works (HWPW) site in Fifth Ward. These results are consistent with previously shared data that …
Latest Round of Fifth Ward Soil Sample Results Show No Immediate Health Risk Read More »
Initial Tests Include 26 Properties with More Results Expected The first residential soil test results from Houston’s Fifth Ward were recently shared at a public meeting and detailed results shared with property owners. Data collected by Union Pacific under the oversight of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and analyzed by independent laboratories indicate no …
First Residential Soil Test Results for Fifth Ward Show No Immediate Health Concerns Read More »
EPA Says Results Show No Immediate Risk to Human Health OMAHA, Neb., Feb. 27, 2025 – Soil testing results from the first round of residential sampling in Houston’s Fifth Ward show no immediate risk to human health, according to data collected under the supervision of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and analyzed by independent …
First Round of Residential Soil Sampling Results Released in Fifth Ward Read More »
Union Pacific continues sharing findings to provide clear answers to the community The first round of Fifth Ward soil test results have been shared with property owners, providing key data on environmental conditions in Zone 1a near the former Houston Wood Preserving Works site. Over the past year, Union Pacific collected more than 2,000 soil …
The deadline for Fifth Ward property owners in designated zones to sign access agreements for soil sampling has been extended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to Dec. 20, 2024. So far, 187 agreements have been signed, with two added since the previous deadline extension at the end of November. Sampling is critical to identifying …
Soil Sampling Access Agreement Deadline Extended to December 20 Read More »
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has extended the deadline for property owners in Fifth Ward to sign access agreements for soil sampling to November 30. This extension was requested by Congresswoman Erica Lee Carter. Union Pacific has worked diligently over the last 15 months to make residents aware of the need to sign access agreements …
U.S. EPA Extends Fifth Ward Soil Sampling Access Agreement Deadline to November 30 Read More »
Background Soil Samples Reveal No Harmful Chemical Levels OMAHA, Neb., Nov. 7, 2024 – Union Pacific will join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at a Nov. 7 community meeting from 6-8 p.m. at the Carl Walker Junior Community Center to share results from recent background soil testing. An independent laboratory analysis revealed the detected …
Union Pacific Completes Background Soil Testing, Results Shared at Community Meeting Read More »
OMAHA, Neb., June 5, 2024 – Union Pacific, in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the City of Houston and Harris County, announces the start of soil testing in Houston’s Fifth Ward. This comprehensive endeavor, the most extensive testing to date in Fifth Ward, underscores Union …
Union Pacific Begins Comprehensive Soil Sampling in Houston’s Fifth Ward Read More »
Due to severe storms in and around the City of Houston, residential sampling and outreach activities originally planned to begin on Monday, May 20th, are postponed until the week of June 3rd. Union Pacific remains dedicated to the health and well-being of the Fifth Ward community and looks forward to addressing environmental concerns with thorough …
Soil Excavation and Removal Activities Postponed Due to Severe Storms in Houston Read More »
Union Pacific Railroad will begin soil excavation and removal activities at the Englewood Intermodal Yard on Monday, April 29. The work will be completed as a part of ongoing remediation associated with the former Houston Wood Preserving Works site and was approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The purpose of the soil excavation …
Soil Excavation and Removal at Englewood Yard Begins April 29, 2024 Read More »
A letter from Union Pacific’s subcontractor WSP USA to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality notifying of a planned soil cap disturbance to lay fiber optic lines in the area. The letter outlines safety and environmental protection measures that will be taken during this work and the soil cap will be replaced and repaired after …
Notification Of Soil Cap Disturbance At The Former Houston Wood Preserving Works Site Read More »
The first round of validated results from vapor testing conducted in and around the Fifth Ward neighborhood in Houston are now available to the public on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website. Read the full results here.
‘HWPW Forward’ is designed to deliver accurate, timely information and open communication OMAHA, Neb., Nov. 16, 2023 – Union Pacific is placing action behind its commitment to transparency and accountability to the Fifth Ward community by launching a holistic transparency initiative, HWPW Forward. The initiative is part of the company’s broader efforts that include …
Union Pacific Launches Transparency Initiative for Fifth Ward Community Read More »
Union Pacific today began testing the groundwater near the former Houston Wood Preserving Works (HWPW) site for vapors to determine whether chemicals once used to treat wood railroad ties are evaporating and impacting the air in nearby homes and businesses. The railroad is taking this proactive step to recheck previous testing which indicated vapor from …
Union Pacific Begins Additional Vapor Testing in Houston’s Fifth Ward Read More »
Testing is part of Union Pacific’s Ongoing Commitment to the Fifth Ward and Results will be Made Public OMAHA, Neb., Sept. 1, 2023 – Union Pacific today announced the next step in its efforts to secure accurate information about contamination in the Fifth Ward community. The railroad will be requesting permission from property owners …
Union Pacific Seeks Residents’ Permission for Extensive Soil Testing in Fifth Ward Read More »
The state’s evaluation underscores the need for more testing before relocating people in the Fifth Ward OMAHA, Neb., Aug. 30, 2023 – The Texas Department of State Health Services found no cancer or other health concerns linked to the presence of chemicals, including dioxins, detected in the city’s soil data taken near the former …
Union Pacific Railroad is asking absentee landowners to sign and return mailed access agreements, giving the railroad permission to perform soil testing on their property near the former Houston Wood Preserving Works site. The testing will be overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and will determine the source, the extent and the potential health …
Union Pacific Requesting Absentee Landowners’ Permission to Test the Soil Read More »
Results from recent, semi-annual groundwater sampling on and near the former Houston Wood Preserving Works site show the groundwater plume has not moved and there is no exposure pathway to reach the community. Union Pacific collected and tested 129 samples from monitoring wells and will provide the results and an evaluation of the data to the Texas Commission on Environmental …
Semi-Annual Groundwater Testing Results from the Houston Wood Preserving Works Site Read More »
In May, contractors for Union Pacific notified the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) of their plans to conduct soil sampling at the Houston Wood Preserving Works Facility as part of the Phase 3 expansion project at the Englewood Intermodal Yard. This proposed soil sampling plan includes drilling holes to test for contaminants. The TCEQ …
For More Information
Inquiries regarding the site can be directed to the following Union Pacific representatives.
Public and Community Affairs
Richard Zientek
281–350–7178
[email protected]
Media inquiries
Robynn Tysver
402–544–6037
[email protected]
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