Manito Shopping Center

Following soil and groundwater sampling, Ecology determined no further cleanup is required. People are protected from exposure to remaining soil contamination because it is contained under the shopping center parking lot.

We inspect the parking lot about every five years to ensure the cleanup still protects people and the environment.

A dry-cleaning facility was on the property from about 1940 to 1947 and 1955 to 1969. A gas station was on the property directly southeast from about 1940 to 1960.

The site has been a parking lot since about 1969 when a department store was built east of the site. The parking lot serves a variety of businesses in the shopping center.

From 2007-2008, soil samples were taken to investigate potential contamination from the former dry cleaner and gas station. Results showed limited amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and solvents were in soil at levels requiring cleanup.

Following a site hazard assessment in 2008, Ecology decided the asphalt and concrete parking lot prevented direct contact or ingestion of contaminated soils so no soil cleanup was necessary. However, we filed an environmental covenant to document the contamination and required groundwater monitoring to see whether soil contamination was affecting groundwater quality.

Groundwater was sampled from three wells in September 2007, August 2008, November 2008, February 2009, and April 2009. None of the suspected contaminants were detected at levels requiring cleanup.

Periodic reviews

Ecology completed periodic reviews in 2023 and 2015 and found the parking lot in adequate condition to continue preventing exposure to contaminated soil. The environmental covenant remains in place. The property owner is responsible for regularly inspecting and maintaining the parking lot surface.