Publication Summary

Groundwater samples for volatile organics were collected from four monitoring wells in November 2003 and April 2004 at Shelton Laundry and Cleaners. Samples were collected to monitor concentrations of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) from a spill that occurred in 1993. PCE was detected in well 4W at concentrations of 15 and 26 ug/L, which exceed the Model Toxic Control Act cleanup standard of 5 ug/L. Trichloroethylene and cis-1,2-dichloroethylene also were detected in 4W but at concentrations near or below the practical quantitation limit of 1 ug/L. PCE was not detected in the two deep wells that were sampled.

Groundwater samples for volatile organic analysis were collected from four monitoring wells in November 2003 and April 2004 at Shelton Laundry and Cleaners in Shelton, Washington. Samples were collected to monitor concentrations and distribution of tetrachloroethylene (PCE).

PCE contamination of the shallow groundwater was discovered in 1997 during an environmental site assessment of a nearby property. The source of contamination was assumed to be a spill that occurred in 1993 at the dry cleaning facility occupied by Shelton Laundry and Cleaners. Monitoring of four shallow wells installed in 1998 detected PCE contamination in well 4W, located where the spill was reported to have occurred, with concentrations ranging from 280 ug/L in July 1998 to 25 ug/L in September 2000. In 2002 four additional deeper wells were installed. Results from the 2002 monitoring indicated that PCE contamination occured at well 4W with an average concentration of 13 ug/L. PCE was not detected in the four deep wells.

Results from the most recent monitoring concur with previous results. PCE was detected in well 4W with concentrations of 15 to 26 ug/L. Trichloroethylene and cis-1,2-dichloroethylene also were detected in well 4W but at concentrations near or below the practical quantitation limit of 1 ug/L. PCE was not detected in the two deeper wells.

Although contaminant concentrations have decreased since 1998, PCE concentrations in well 4W exceeded the Model Toxic Control Act cleanup standard of 5.0 ug/L. Because PCE concentrations continue to exceed the cleanup standards in this well, some level of monitoring should continue. Additional investigation or possible remedial action also could be considered to further reduce PCE concentrations at this site.

Link to EIM data for User Study ID PMART001