Whitten Oil 1
Facility Site ID:
49354234
Cleanup Site ID:
9440
Site History
The site has been used to distribute petroleum products since the 1950s. Whitten Oil began operating there in 1973. In 1989, workers removed six underground storage tanks and surrounding contaminated soil. One underground storage tank was closed in place under the former gas station building. Further investigation found more soil contamination and groundwater contamination.
Since 2017, groundwater has been sampled twice a year. In 2018, levels of petroleum and VOCs in groundwater began to increase. In 2023, Ecology decided a new investigation and further cleanup are necessary because the extent of contamination is unknown and may be threatening nearby residences.
Since 2017, groundwater has been sampled twice a year. In 2018, levels of petroleum and VOCs in groundwater began to increase. In 2023, Ecology decided a new investigation and further cleanup are necessary because the extent of contamination is unknown and may be threatening nearby residences.
Drinking Water Is Safe, Cleanup Will Protect Indoor Air Quality
Businesses and homes within the City of Colville get drinking water from the city. This water is regularly tested under the Washington Department of Health’s regulations and is safe for drinking.
However, if contamination spreads under nearby buildings, it can cause harmful vapors to build up inside them. This is called vapor intrusion. Ecology is requiring the investigation and cleanup to prevent vapor intrusion and the contamination spreading further.
However, if contamination spreads under nearby buildings, it can cause harmful vapors to build up inside them. This is called vapor intrusion. Ecology is requiring the investigation and cleanup to prevent vapor intrusion and the contamination spreading further.
Documents 27
Legal 3
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| Agreed Order: Whitten Oil 1 | 10/30/2024 | Agreed Order |
| Whitten Oil 1- Final PLP Status Letter- Sood | 1/25/2024 | Final Potentially Liable Person Status Letter |
| Whitten Oil 1- Final PLP Status Letter- Whitten | 1/25/2024 | Final Potentially Liable Person Status Letter |
Public Information 2
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| Draft legal agreement and public participation plan ready for public review and comment: Whitten Oil 1 | 11/18/2024 | Fact Sheet\Public Notices |
| Public Participation Plan: Whitten Oil 1 | 10/25/2024 | Public Participation Plan |
Technical Reports 20
Voluntary Cleanup Program 2
| Document Title | Document Date | Document Type |
| Whitten Oil 1- Termination of VCP Agreement | 12/12/2023 | VCP Administrative Document |
| Whitten Oil 1- VCP Opinion on Site Cleanup- Further Action Required | 11/20/2023 | VCP Opinion on Site Cleanup – 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
-
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Halogenated Organics - Benzene | C | S | ||||
| Non-Halogenated Organics - Petroleum-Diesel | C | S | ||||
| Non-Halogenated Organics - Petroleum-Gasoline | C | C | S | |||
| Non-Halogenated Organics - Petroleum-Other | 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
You are invited to review and comment on the draft agreed order and public participation plan. The order requires the Whitten Oil, Inc. and Whitty's LLC to complete a remedial investigation and feasibility study. The remedial investigation will determine the full extent of petroleum and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contamination in air, soil, and groundwater, and the feasibility study will evaluate cleanup options. The plan describes how you will be informed and can comment during the cleanup process.
Whitten Oil, Inc., and Whitty's LLC are responsible for investigation and cleanup costs, as former and current operators of the site.
Review the draft documents
Please contact Erika Beresovoy at Erika.Beresovoy@ecy.wa.gov or 509-385-2290 if you need print documents.
Submit comments via email, mail, or online by 11:59 p.m. on 12/17 to:
Ted Uecker, ted.uecker@ecy.wa.gov
4601 N. Monroe St., Spokane, WA 99205
Online comment form
Next steps
Ecology will review all comments received during the comment period and update the draft documents if needed. If no significant changes are made, they will become final. If significant changes are made, an additional public comment period will be held. We will hold a public meeting if 10 or more people request one.