Circle K 1461

This Site is a “Mixed Funding Site” which Ecology is responsible for the cleanup.  As part of the Site Cleanup Action work, construction of the treatment system is scheduled for the second half of 2023.

The work will include:

Installation of remediation wells (August & September 2023)

Installation of groundwater and soil vapor treatment system components (September & October 2023)

Soil and groundwater sampling (August through November 2023)

System testing and startup (October & November 2023)

After system construction, testing, and startup, the system will be operated and maintained. Sampling will be conducted during system operation to evaluate ongoing treatment system effectiveness.

The Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA; Chapter 70.105D RCW) is Washington’s environmental cleanup law. It provides requirements for contaminated site cleanup and sets standards that protect human health and the environment. Ecology enacts the MTCA and oversees cleanups. The MTCA site cleanup process is completed in steps (see graphic) over a variable timeline.

The Site is located at 2350 24th Avenue East, Seattle, WA. The Property is located in a mixed commercial area of the Montlake residential neighborhood.

A former Circle K service station operated on the Site from 1968 until 1990. Currently The property consists of a one-story building and a newer addition to it, which are presently being utilized as a retail dry-cleaning store and a convenience store, known as Jay’s Cleaners and Mont’s Market.

1989:  Petroleum contamination was discovered in both soil and groundwater due to a leaking underground storage tank. Approximately 4,000 to 6,000 gallons of gasoline was released. In October, six underground storage tanks and 900 cubic yards of contaminated soil were excavated. 

1990:  The gasoline pump island was demolished. The gasoline pump island was demolished. 

1992:  Ecology and a new property owner entered into a Mixed Funding Consent Decree where Ecology provided the property owner a loan from state funds to cover a portion of the cleanup costs. Ecology conducted an early cleanup action, called an interim action.  Ecology’s interim action:

o    Removed leaking tanks

o    Conducted partial soil evacuation

o    Installed a product recovery system that operated until 1997 

2005:  Ecology conducted Pilot Study tests in 2005 and in 2017 to evaluate other potential cleanup alternative for remaining contamination. 

2006: Results from the November groundwater monitoring showed presence of free products in two wells located within the property and two wells located on East McGraw Street. 

2017: Ecology conducted another Pilot Study test 

2018: Ecology held a 30-day public comment period on the draft Remedial Investigation, draft Feasibility Study, draft Cleanup Action Plan, and State Environmental Policy Act.

In 2017 Ecology completed an environmental study (Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study, RI/FS) of the Site and assessed a range of cleanup options. 

The study found chemicals in soil and groundwater from a former service station and lube facility:

·         Petroleum products (Gasoline, Diesel, Oil-range Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons)

·         Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl-Benzene, and Xylene (BTEX)

The petroleum plume has extended off-property beneath adjacent streets and residential property.

 Current Circle K 1461 cleanup site Public Participation Plan 

This plan includes information for the public regarding opportunities to get involved in the cleanup process. The outreach activities and mechanisms presented reflect Ecology’s current plans for keeping the public informed and for receiving information and comments from the public.