Southgate Laundry
Facility Site ID:
482
Cleanup Site ID:
3399
What Is The Yakima Railroad Area?
Southgate Laundry is a part of the Yakima Railroad Area (YRRA). The Yakima Railroad Area is approximately six square miles in size and includes parts of the cities of Yakima and Union Gap. The Yakima Railroad Area groundwater is contaminated with tetrachloroethylene (PCE or PERC) from past industrial use, and is centered around the railroad/industrial corridor of the greater Yakima area.
PCE is a manufactured chemical that is widely used for dry cleaning of fabrics and for metal-degreasing. It is also used to make other chemicals and is used in some consumer products.
Exposure to PCE can be from the air, chemical use, soil, or water. PCE can affect the kidneys, liver, nervous system, and reproductive system, as well as unborn children. There is also an increased risk of certain types of cancer.
More information about potential sources of PCE and associated health risks can be found on theAgency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) website.
PCE is a manufactured chemical that is widely used for dry cleaning of fabrics and for metal-degreasing. It is also used to make other chemicals and is used in some consumer products.
Exposure to PCE can be from the air, chemical use, soil, or water. PCE can affect the kidneys, liver, nervous system, and reproductive system, as well as unborn children. There is also an increased risk of certain types of cancer.
More information about potential sources of PCE and associated health risks can be found on theAgency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) website.
Site Description
The Southgate Laundry facility is a laundry and dry cleaning service. The facility has been in operation since 1976.
A site inspection in 1989 found that the business uses PCE as a solvent and the waste is stored in a dumpster that is disposed of at the local landfill.
In 1991, the site was added to Ecology’s Hazardous Sites List with a ranking of “3”. Sites on the Hazardous Sites List are a priority for Ecology, and have completed a Site Hazard Assessment (SHA). A SHA provides information about the environmental risk of the site. Risk is based on the amount of contaminants, how toxic they are, and how easily they can come in contact with people and the environment. Sites are ranked relative to each other on a scale of “1” to “5”; with a rank of “5” being the lowest.
A site inspection in 1989 found that the business uses PCE as a solvent and the waste is stored in a dumpster that is disposed of at the local landfill.
In 1991, the site was added to Ecology’s Hazardous Sites List with a ranking of “3”. Sites on the Hazardous Sites List are a priority for Ecology, and have completed a Site Hazard Assessment (SHA). A SHA provides information about the environmental risk of the site. Risk is based on the amount of contaminants, how toxic they are, and how easily they can come in contact with people and the environment. Sites are ranked relative to each other on a scale of “1” to “5”; with a rank of “5” being the lowest.
What's Been Done?
Ecology investigated Southgate as part of a geotechnical investigation conducted in 1992. A soil boring was done on-site and PCE was detected.
In 1994, Ecology performed additional sampling of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the soil. Twenty-two VOCs were found.
In July 1996, an environmental firm conducted a Remedial investigation (RI). The RI is an environmental investigation where soil and groundwater samples are taken to find out how far the contamination has gone. After the RI, contaminated soil from behind and beneath the building was removed. Although contaminated soil remains beneath the building, an environmental covenant has been filed to require further cleanup if the building is removed.
In 1994, Ecology performed additional sampling of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the soil. Twenty-two VOCs were found.
In July 1996, an environmental firm conducted a Remedial investigation (RI). The RI is an environmental investigation where soil and groundwater samples are taken to find out how far the contamination has gone. After the RI, contaminated soil from behind and beneath the building was removed. Although contaminated soil remains beneath the building, an environmental covenant has been filed to require further cleanup if the building is removed.
What's Happening Now?
Ongoing groundwater monitoring has shown concentrations below state cleanup levels since 2005.
Indoor air was tested in 2015, with results below state cleanup levels.
Based upon cleanup activities conducted at the site, Ecology has determined the site is no longer a threat to human health and the environment. Ecology made a No Further Action determination in April 2018. The site has been was removed from the Hazardous Sites List.
Indoor air was tested in 2015, with results below state cleanup levels.
Based upon cleanup activities conducted at the site, Ecology has determined the site is no longer a threat to human health and the environment. Ecology made a No Further Action determination in April 2018. The site has been was removed from the Hazardous Sites List.
Site use restrictions called institutional controls are in effect
Institutional controls can be fences, signs, or restrictions on how the property is used. For instance, an institutional control may prohibit installing drinking water wells or disturbing a protective cap that isolates contamination. These restrictions keep the contamination contained and keep people from being exposed to the contamination. The controls are usually listed in environmental covenants recorded with the county.
Periodic reviews are required when institutional controls are required at a site. Ecology conducts reviews to make sure the controls remain effective and the cleanup still protects human health and the environment. We conduct periodic reviews about every five years.
Institutional Controls 1
Environmental Covenant
County Recording #:
7967455
County Recording Date:
12/22/2017
Restrictions/Requirements
- Prohibit Removal or Alteration of Existing Buildings
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict Land Use
Restricted Media
- Soil
Documents 30
Legal 4
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| Southgate Laundry AO Status Letter | 4/23/2018 | Order Notice of Satisfaction/Status |
| Southgate Laundry Environmental Covenant | 12/22/2017 | Environmental Covenant; Alternative Mechanism |
| Southgate Laundry RI/FS AO No. DE 95TC-C239 | 1/5/1996 | Agreed Order |
| Southgate Laundry Final PLP ltr | 12/9/1994 | Final Potentially Liable Person Status Letter |
Public Information 2
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| Southgate Laundry - Fact Sheet for Proposed Removal from HSL | 2/23/2018 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
| Southgate Laundry RI/FS factsheet | 1/5/1996 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
Technical Reports 24
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| Southgate Laundry - YRRA GW Sampling Event | 10/15/2024 | Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence) |
| Southgate Laundry - YRRA GW Sampling Event | 3/25/2024 | Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence) |
| Southgate Laundry - YRRA GW Sampling Event | 9/29/2023 | Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence) |
| Yakima Railroad Area PCE Groundwater Quality Monitoring Data Summary 2021 | 5/1/2023 | Groundwater Monitoring Report |
| Southgate Laundry - YRRA GW Sampling Event | 4/7/2023 | Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence) |
| Southgate Laundry - YRRA GW Sampling Event | 9/30/2022 | Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence) |
| Yakima Railroad Area PCE Groundwater Monitoring Data Summary 2018 - 2020 | 4/1/2022 | Groundwater Monitoring Report |
| Southgate Laundry - Groundwater Sampling Event - YRRA | 4/1/2022 | Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence) |
| Southgate Laundry - YRRA Groundwater Sampling Event | 9/29/2021 | Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence) |
| Southgate Laundry - YRRA Groundwater Sampling Event | 3/29/2021 | Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence) |
| Southgate Laundry - YRRA Groundwater Sampling Event | 11/6/2020 | Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence) |
| Southgate Laundry - YRRA Groundwater Sampling Event | 9/25/2019 | Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence) |
| Yakima Railroad Area PCE Groundwater Monitoring Data Summary 2017 | 7/1/2018 | Groundwater Monitoring Report |
| YRRA Groundwater Quality Performance Monitoring 2016 | 4/1/2017 | Groundwater Monitoring Report |
| Yakima Railroad Area PCE Groundwater Monitoring Data Summary 2014 - 2015 | 7/1/2016 | Groundwater Monitoring Report |
| Southgate Laundry Vapor Intrusion Monitoring | 11/11/2015 | Site Specific Technical Document - other |
| YRRA Groundwater Quality Performance Monitoring 2013 | 10/1/2014 | Groundwater Monitoring Report |
| Southgate Laundry YRRA RI Task 2 rpt | 1/1/1998 | Remedial Investigation Report |
| Southgate Laundry - Final PLP determination Kim not PLP | 7/29/1997 | Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence) |
| Southgate Laundry 30-day notice of potential liability - Kim | 2/26/1997 | Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence) |
| Southgate Laundry YRRA RI Task 1 rpt | 7/1/1996 | Remedial Investigation Report |
| Southgate Laundry SHA Results Notification | 9/5/1991 | Site Specific Administrative Document - other (Administrative correspondence) |
| Southgate Laundry - Site Hazard Assessment | 8/27/1991 | Site Hazard Assessment Report |
| Southgate Laundry Site Inspection rpt | 11/29/1989 | Site Specific Technical Document - other |
There may be more documents related to this site. To obtain documents not available electronically, you will need to make a public records request.
Places to see print documents
-
Central Regional Office1250 W Alder StUnion Gap, 98903-0009Please schedule an appointment to view print documents at this location.
Contaminants 1
| Contaminant Type | Soil |
Groundwater |
Surface Water |
Air |
Sediment |
Bedrock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halogenated Organics - Halogenated Solvents | RA | B | B |
- S
- Suspected
- C
- Confirmed Above Cleanup Levels
- B
- Below Cleanup Levels
- RA
- Remediated-Above
- RB
- Remediated-Below
- R
- Remediated
This contaminant list was based on our best information at the time it was entered. It may not reflect current conditions at the site.