West Olympia Landfill

The 12.3-acre site is generally located at 1305 Cooper Point Road SW and is currently vacant.The former landfill contaminated the groundwater with trichloroethylene (TCE), a chemical degreaser commonly used in dry cleaning and metal fabrication. Initial testing shows some groundwater has more TCE in it than state cleanup law considers safe for people or the environment. Previous property investigations began in 1984 to find the extent of refuse, soil, soil-gas, and groundwater contamination. From those studies we have learned that TCE is the only contaminant of concern.

Based on test results, we are confident that this contamination does not impact nearby drinking water. 

People cannot directly contact the contamination in the groundwater (it is under the soil). However, there is a small chance of vapors from the TCE reaching the surface. Previous studies in the area suggest that the level of TCE is not high enough to produce vapors, but we will be studying this further.

The City of Olympia has made a legal agreement with Ecology to conduct a remedial investigation and a feasibility study. These studies will define the nature and extent of site contamination and examine possible cleanup options. This process generally takes several years and we will update this website at major points in the process.

We will update this website with the plans for the investigation when they are available.