Yakima Valley Spray

The Yakima Valley Spray property 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 the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) website.

Yakima Valley Spray and Shell Oil formulated pesticides and distributed bulk oil at this facility from 1908 to 1974. During this time, releases of toxic substances occurred over about two acres of the present U-Haul of Inland Northwest property and also part of the adjacent BNSF property. Releases to the soil include at least 62 contaminants, some of which migrated to the 14-20 foot deep local groundwater. 

From 1968 to 1973, a 6,000-gallon tank of PCE existed at the site. 

After a Site Hazard Assessment conducted in 1990, the Site was ranked a “1” on the Hazardous Sites List. The Hazardous Sites List is a statewide list of contaminated properties.  Sites can be ranked from a “1” to “5”.  A rank of “1” is the highest level of environmental concern compared to other sites on the List, and a rank of “5” is the lowest.

In 2004, contaminated soils were excavated and removed from the site. 

Water quality monitoring wells were installed and have been monitored quarterly.