Independent, comprehensive environmental testing has definitively confirmed that the Silo Mills community is safe for residential and school occupancy. Here are the facts, the data, and what you can do to help.
In early 2026, multiple online media outlets published unsubstantiated allegations that the Silo Mills residential development was built on contaminated radioactive land due to a former oil and gas drilling cuttings landfarm that operated on portions of the property until 2017.
Claims alleged that radioactive materials had been deposited onsite and that contamination had not been adequately disclosed to residents. These claims were amplified through follow-up reporting and cold calls to stakeholders — creating unjustified concern among residents, builders, and the broader community.
The landfarm operated as a legally permitted Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) facility (Permit No. LF-0295, issued Aug 2011) in accordance with regulatory protocol, and formally closed with RRC approval on June 20, 2017.
The facility only accepted cuttings from water-based natural gas drilling activities with no radioactive materials — confirmed by sworn testimony from multiple former workers of the landfarm. Furthermore, the land had been tested extensively prior to development of the residential community, with no evidence of what these unfounded claims were alleging.
Extensive testing was conducted prior to development and well before recent allegations, yielding no evidence of said contamination. Nevertheless, the development team commissioned a comprehensive and rigorous independent environmental investigation to audit the permitting and closure of the landfarm and to (once again) provide definitive science-based answers about the condition of the property.
This investigation went well beyond standard environmental protocols — 900+ soil samples and field measurements, plus a 40-ft monitoring well drilled to the point of auger refusal at limestone bedrock.
Independent science confirms: Silo Mills is safe for residential and school occupancy. Data from 900+ field measurements and soil samples confirms the safety of the property for residential and school occupancy.
100% of borings and field measurements at natural background levels (less than household granite countertops). No evidence that radioactive materials were ever on site.
100% of samples were below regulatory levels for human health exposure. Confirmed no health exposure concerns.
100% of samples were below regulatory levels for human health exposure. Confirmed no health exposure concerns.
Selenium, Barium, Lead, Mercury, Silver, Cadmium, Chromium, and Arsenic — 100% of samples below regulatory levels for human health exposure. Confirmed no health exposure concerns.
No groundwater detected at up to 100 ft historically. No exposure route for groundwater ingestion, since potable water comes from Johnson County Utility District.
The landfarm operated and closed in full compliance with RRC Permit LF-0295. The RRC granted formal closure in June 2017. No regulatory action is required. Current site conditions remain consistent with those at the time of RRC-approved closure.
Independent environmental assessments, regulatory filings, and community updates. All documents are public and available for download.
February 20, 2026 · TRRC
Texas Railroad Commission on-site inspection report confirming site conditions.
February 24, 2026 · UES
Comprehensive radiation field screening across the property. 900+ measurements, 100% at natural background levels.
March 30, 2026
Official update to Silo Mills homeowners on environmental testing, findings, and next steps.
Map showing the locations of soil borings, monitoring wells, and radiation field measurements conducted across the property.
No. The landfarm only accepted cuttings from water-based natural gas drilling activities, which do not contain radioactive materials. This is confirmed by the RRC permit, sworn testimony from former landfarm workers, and 900+ independent radiation field measurements — 100% of which were at naturally occurring background levels (less than the radiation from household granite countertops).
UES, LLC — an independent third-party firm of Licensed Professional Geoscientists and Environmental Consultants — conducted the site assessment. Laboratory analysis was performed by Eurofins South Central, a NELAP-accredited independent laboratory, with full chain-of-custody protocols. The work included direct discussion with Texas Railroad Commission regulators.
54 soil borings were collected at multiple depths across the property. Samples were analyzed for RCRA 8 metals (130+ samples), BTEX organics (98 samples), total petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorides (96 samples). Radiation was screened at 300+ ground surface locations and 600+ subsurface points. A 40-ft monitoring well was drilled to assess groundwater.
Yes. Potable water for Silo Mills comes from the Johnson County Utility District — not from any on-site groundwater source. Additionally, no groundwater was detected on the property up to 100 ft in depth, meaning there is no pathway for contaminant migration through groundwater.
Yes. The independent assessment specifically confirmed the property is suitable for "current and future residential land and school use." 100% of samples from all analyte categories were below regulatory levels for human health exposure.
The core data points that define the story.
Third-party Licensed Professional Geoscientists (UES, LLC) with NELAP-accredited laboratory analysis by Eurofins South Central.
The landfarm operated and closed in full compliance with Texas Railroad Commission Permit LF-0295 (closed June 2017).
Comprehensive testing across the property at ground surface and subsurface — 100% at or below naturally occurring background levels.
The facility only accepted cuttings from water-based natural gas drilling activities — no radioactive materials. Confirmed by sworn former-worker testimony.