Frank Wear Cleaners
Facility Site ID:
444
Cleanup Site ID:
4194
What Is The Yakima Railroad Area?
Frank Wear Cleaners 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.
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.
Site Description
Frank Wear Cleaners was a dry cleaner that operated from the early 1940’s to 2000 in Yakima. Over the years, releases of the dry-cleaning solvent, tetrachloroethylene (also known as perchloroethylene, PCE, or perc) contaminated soil and groundwater at the site. The area of contamination extends off-property approximately within the block, bounded north/south by West Chestnut Street and West Walnut Street and east/west by South 3rd Avenue and South 4th Avenue. PCE contamination is present at the site in the soil, soil vapors, and groundwater. PCE is a potentially cancer-causing chemical. Find out more about PCE and its health effects by visiting the CDC’s website.
What's Been Done?
In 1985, Ecology was informed of illegal dumping of PCE at Frank Wear Cleaners. Ecology returned in 1987 for another inspection and multiple dangerous waste violations were present. Soil samples were taken on-site and revealed high levels of PCE and other volatiles. The environmental consultant recommended that soil contamination at the site should be further evaluated, especially groundwater sampling.
In 1988, Ecology took groundwater samples and found PCE above state cleanup levels. In 1994, 310 tons of contaminated soil were removed at the site. The Frank Wear Cleaners’ building was demolished in 2001, and an additional 432 tons of contaminated soil were removed.
In 2011, Ecology learned that a daycare center operated on the site and was concerned about the threat to children from the PCE vapors in the air. Ecology performed indoor air sampling at the daycare and determined that an interim action was needed to reduce the concentration of PCE vapors in the building. In 2012 a soil vapor extraction (SVE) system was installed to prevent contaminant vapors from getting into the daycare. The SVE system is still operating today.
From 2014 to 2015, a groundwater treatment system was installed at the site but was shut down due to funding availability.
In 2023, air sampling determined that the SVE system was continuing to prevent vapors from entering the daycare.
In 1988, Ecology took groundwater samples and found PCE above state cleanup levels. In 1994, 310 tons of contaminated soil were removed at the site. The Frank Wear Cleaners’ building was demolished in 2001, and an additional 432 tons of contaminated soil were removed.
In 2011, Ecology learned that a daycare center operated on the site and was concerned about the threat to children from the PCE vapors in the air. Ecology performed indoor air sampling at the daycare and determined that an interim action was needed to reduce the concentration of PCE vapors in the building. In 2012 a soil vapor extraction (SVE) system was installed to prevent contaminant vapors from getting into the daycare. The SVE system is still operating today.
From 2014 to 2015, a groundwater treatment system was installed at the site but was shut down due to funding availability.
In 2023, air sampling determined that the SVE system was continuing to prevent vapors from entering the daycare.
What's Happening Now?
More work needs to be done at the site to clean up soil and groundwater contamination.
Ecology is entering into a consent decree, a legal agreement filed in court between the Washington State Department of Ecology and a person or company responsible for pollution. The consent decree includes a plan for how the cleanup will be done, a schedule for the work, and rules to make sure the work is done safely and correctly.
Ecology is entering into a consent decree, a legal agreement filed in court between the Washington State Department of Ecology and a person or company responsible for pollution. The consent decree includes a plan for how the cleanup will be done, a schedule for the work, and rules to make sure the work is done safely and correctly.
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 #:
7806001
County Recording Date:
6/6/2013
Restrictions/Requirements
- Prohibit Soil Disturbance
- Restrict All Ground Water Extraction/Well Installation
Restricted Media
- Groundwater
- Soil
Documents 81
Legal 10
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - DRAFT Consent Decree | 9/19/2025 | Consent Decree |
| Yakima Railroad Area Bottled Water program EO Dismissal Memo | 2/7/2018 | Order Notice of Satisfaction/Status |
| Frank Wear Cleaners Environmental Covenant | 6/6/2013 | Environmental Covenant; Alternative Mechanism |
| Yakima Railroad Area 9th Ave Water EO No. DE 95TC-C212 | 7/19/1995 | Enforcement Order |
| Frank Wear Cleaners AO No. DE 94TC-C420 Amendment | 6/16/1995 | Agreed Order |
| Frank Wear Cleaners RI/FS AO No. DE 94TC-C420 | 11/7/1994 | Agreed Order |
| Yakima Railroad Area Bottled Water EO No. DE 92TC-C108 Amendment | 1/28/1993 | Enforcement Order |
| Yakima Railroad Area Bottled Water EO No. DE 92TC-C108 Amendment | 2/28/1992 | Enforcement Order |
| Yakima Railroad Area Bottled Water EO No. DE 92TC-C108 | 2/11/1992 | Enforcement Order |
| Frank Wear Cleaners PLP Ltr | 10/24/1991 | Final Potentially Liable Person Status Letter |
Outreach Information 11
State Environmental Policy Act 2
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| Frank Wear Cleaners SEPA Determination of Non-Significance | 12/7/2011 | SEPA Documents |
| Frank Wear Cleaners IA SEPA checklist | 11/29/2011 | SEPA Documents |
Technical Reports 58
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - YRRA GW Sampling Event - Jones | 4/4/2025 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - YRRA GW Sampling Event - Zeilman | 4/4/2025 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - YRRA GW Sampling Event - Jones | 10/15/2024 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - YRRA GW Sampling Event - Zeilman | 10/15/2024 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - DOH Health Consultation | 6/27/2024 | Site Specific Technical Document - Other |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - SHARP Report | 6/26/2024 | Site Hazard Assessment and Ranking Process Report |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - Sampling Results - Letter to Families | 4/22/2024 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - Sampling Results - Letter to Families - Spanish | 4/22/2024 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - Vapor Intrusion Monitoring Report | 4/1/2024 | Site Specific Technical Document - Other |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - YRRA GW Sampling Event - Jones | 3/25/2024 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - YRRA GW Sampling Event - Zeilman | 3/25/2024 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - YRRA GW Sampling Event - Jones | 9/29/2023 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - YRRA GW Sampling Event - Zeilman | 9/29/2023 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - Sampling Event - Letter to Families | 9/1/2023 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - Sampling Event - Letter to Families - Spanish | 9/1/2023 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - DOH Health Consultation | 6/15/2023 | Site Specific Technical Document - Other |
| Yakima Railroad Area PCE Groundwater Quality Monitoring Data Summary 2021 | 5/1/2023 | Monitoring Report |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - YRRA GW Sampling Event - Zeilman | 4/7/2023 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - YRRA GW Sampling Event - Jones | 4/7/2023 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - Site Manager Change | 1/24/2023 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - YRRA GW Sampling Event - Jones | 9/30/2022 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - YRRA GW Sampling Event - Zeilman | 9/30/2022 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - Groundwater Sampling Event - YRRA - Jones | 4/1/2022 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - Groundwater Sampling Event - YRRA - Zeilman | 4/1/2022 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Yakima Railroad Area PCE Groundwater Monitoring Data Summary 2018 - 2020 | 4/1/2022 | Monitoring Report |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - YRRA Groundwater Sampling Event | 9/29/2021 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - YRRA Groundwater Sampling Event - Zeilman | 9/29/2021 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - YRRA Groundwater Sampling - Zeilman | 3/29/2021 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - YRRA Groundwater Sampling - Jones | 3/29/2021 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - Groundwater Sampling Event | 11/6/2020 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - Site Meeting Scheduling Letter for adjacent Parcel | 3/3/2020 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - YRRA Groundwater Sampling Event | 9/25/2019 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - YRRA Groundwater Sampling Event | 9/25/2019 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - GW Sampling 4/22/2019 - 4/26/2019 | 4/16/2019 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - Groundwater Sampling 4/22/2019 - 4/26/2019 | 4/16/2019 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Yakima Railroad Area PCE Groundwater Monitoring Data Summary 2017 | 7/1/2018 | Monitoring Report |
| Frank Wear Cleaners AO Dismissal Memo | 2/5/2018 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners SVE System 2015 - 2017 Annual Report | 10/25/2017 | Monitoring Report |
| Frank Wear Cleaners SVE System 2014 - 2015 Annual Report | 3/7/2016 | Monitoring Report |
| Frank Wear Cleaners Annual Performance Report | 4/2/2015 | Monitoring Report |
| Frank Wear Cleaners Groundwater Interim Action Construction Completion Report | 3/2/2015 | Interim Action Plans and Reports |
| Frank Wear Cleaners Evaluation of July 2012 - December 2013 Indoor Air Results | 6/4/2014 | Site Specific Technical Document - Other |
| Frank Wear Cleaners draft Interim Action Plan - Groundwater Remedation System | 3/28/2013 | Interim Action Plans and Reports |
| Frank Wear SVE System Construction Report | 12/4/2012 | Remedial Action Report |
| Frank Wear Cleaners Data Gap Investigation rpt | 9/18/2012 | Site Specific Technical Document - Other |
| Frank Wear Cleaners Final SVE System IA Plan | 3/13/2012 | Interim Action Plans and Reports |
| Frank Wear Cleaners Health Consultation | 3/5/2012 | Site Specific Technical Document - Other |
| Frank Wear Cleaners Vapor Intrusion Study Report | 11/4/2011 | Site Specific Technical Document - Other |
| Frank Wear Cleaners 2011 Air Sampling Results ltr | 10/20/2011 | Site Specific Administrative Document - Other (Administrative Correspondence) |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - Technical Memorandum | 9/20/2011 | Site Specific Technical Document - Other |
| Frank Wear Cleaners Technology Screening Table | 3/1/2008 | Site Specific Technical Document - Other |
| Frank Wear Cleaners FS SOW | 3/1/2008 | Scope of Work |
| Frank Wear Cleaners Final FS rpt | 7/31/2007 | Feasibility Study |
| Frank Wear Cleaners IA rpt | 5/3/2001 | Interim Action Plans and Reports |
| Frank Wear Cleaners RI and Interim Action Rpt | 3/1/1996 | Remedial Investigation Report |
| Frank Wear Cleaners Soil Vapor Survey | 1/1/1995 | Remedial Action Report |
| Frank Wear Cleaners - Site Hazard Assessment | 8/12/1991 | Site Hazard Assessment Report |
| Frank Wear Cleaners PA rpt | 4/1/1989 | 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 | C | C |
- 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.
Public Comment Period
Review:
• The Draft Consent Decree
A Consent Decree is a court-approved legal agreement between Ecology and the property owners. It requires the property owners to clean up the site and settles their liability. It also lays out a plan and schedule for cleanup. This decree does not settle the liability of any other potentially liable persons.
Submit comments to Rachel Caron, Site Manager by October 20, 2025, 11:59 p.m.
Online: Comment form
Email: Rachel.Caron@ecy.wa.gov
Mail: 1250 W. Alder Street, Union Gap, WA 98903
Next Steps
After the public comment period ends, Ecology will review and respond to comments received and will hold a public meeting if 10 or more people request one. After review and consideration of comments received, the Consent Decree will become final.
To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, call Rhonda Luke at 509-406-6931, email at Rhonda.Luke@ecy.wa.gov, or visit https://ecology.wa.gov/accessibility. People with impaired hearing may call Washington Relay Service at 711. People with speech disability may call TTY at (877) 833-6341.