Former cement manufacturing left two deposits of cement kiln dust (CKD) at the Holcim Inc site. Investigations showed the CKD had contaminated soil and groundwater.
The cleanup remedy was constructed from July through November 2016. A CKD deposit near the Spokane River was excavated and combined with the other CKD deposit further away from the river. The CKD was then covered with an engineered cap to keep people, wildlife, and precipitation from contacting the contamination.- Holcim Inc. site history, including site ownership, past site use, and the types of contamination that prompted cleanup
- Cleanup actions that were completed to protect people and the environment
Site History
The site was used for manufacturing cement from 1910 to 1967. During that time, CKD was deposited on the site. Soil sample results confirmed one CKD deposit about 109,100 cubic yards in volume on the Holcim property. Another CKD deposit in soil, about 12,300 cubic yards in volume, was on the city property.
The CKD contains various contaminants that exceed state standards, including arsenic, cadmium, and lead. In addition, some CKD deposits were very alkaline with a pH greater than 12.5, which is corrosive and considered dangerous waste if disturbed.
Other areas of the site had soil contaminated with benzene, carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and gasoline.
Cleanup Timeline
On February 13, 2014, during the public comment period for the draft Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study, Ecology hosted a public meeting to provide an overview of the Holcim Inc site and results of the reports. We discussed soil and groundwater results, the cleanup options, and answered questions. Ecology published a response to comments following the comment period.
Ecology selected a modified alternative 4 in the Cleanup Action Plan, held a public comment period on the draft plan in late 2015, and received one comment. We published our response to comments and finalized the plan without revision.
An engineered cap covers the CKD combined on the Holcim property. The cap includes a 30-mil geomembrane, one foot of drainage material, geotextile, and two feet of topsoil. Native grasses are planted on the cap. All precipitation runoff is collected and managed on Holcim’s property. Institutional controls will be placed on the property to protect the cap and restrict how the property is used. No institutional controls are on the city or Neighborhood, Inc. property because no contamination remains there.
Documents 0
Places to see print documents
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Eastern Regional OfficeN 4601 Monroe StSpokane, 99205-1265Please schedule an appointment to view print documents at this location.
Contaminants 4
Contaminant Type | Soil |
Groundwater |
Surface Water |
Air |
Sediment |
Bedrock |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Metals - Metals Priority Pollutants | C | C | ||||
Non-Halogenated Organics - Petroleum Products-Unspecified | C | |||||
Non-Halogenated Organics - Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons | C | |||||
Metals - Arsenic | C |
- S
- Suspected
- C
- Confirmed Above Cleanup Levels
- B
- Below Cleanup Levels
- RA
- Remediated-Above
- RB
- Remediated-Below
- R
- Remediated
Public Comment Period
Ecology invites you to review and comment on the draft periodic review report. We conduct a periodic review at least every five years after beginning cleanup at a site. The purpose of the review is to evaluate current site conditions and to ensure the continued protection of people and the environment.
Ecology visited the site May 5, 2025, and found it was well managed. Stormwater is controlled to move rainwater and snowmelt off the protective cap to a series of stormwater infiltration basins. Groundwater monitoring wells were inspected and found to be in good condition. The Site is restricted from public access by gates and perimeter fencing. Fencing is regularly inspected by contractors for Holcim Inc.
Review the draft report
Submit comments via email, mail, or online by 11:59 p.m. July 28 to:
Jeremy Schmidt, jeremy.schmidt@ecy.wa.gov
N. 4601 Monroe St., Spokane, WA 99205-1265
Online comment form
Next steps
Ecology will review comments received during the comment period. The periodic review will become final if no significant changes are made due to public comment. An additional public comment period will be held if significant changes are made. We will hold an online public meeting if 10 people request it.