Union Pacific continues to advance environmental remediation at the former Houston Wood Preserving Works site in Houston’s Fifth Ward. Routine inspections and monitoring show remediation measures are effective.

The neighborhood Health Risk Assessment is now underway. More than 2,000 soil samples were collected from 176 properties, the most comprehensive
testing effort ever done in the area. The EPA is carefully reviewing the data to determine if there are any potential long-term health risks. Results are expected later this year, and we’ll continue to share updates as they become available.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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