Associated Grocers

The Associated Grocers Site is located in Yakima.  Soil sampling was conducted in 1994 as part of a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment.  Soil samples collected from two dry wells indicated the presence of diesel and heavy oil-range petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH-Dx) at concentrations exceeding MTCA Method A cleanup levels.

The dry wells were decommissioned in 1995, and approximately 380 tons of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soils (PCS) were generated and disposed of.  Confirmation samples indicated that contamination remained in place at concentrations exceeding MTCA Method A cleanup levels.  In 1996, an additional 413 tons of PCS was removed from the Site.  Following this second remedial activity, confirmation samples indicated that soils at the site still contained TPH-Dx contamination at concentrations exceeding MTCA Method A cleanup levels.
 
Four monitoring wells were installed late in June 1996.  Three consecutive quarterly groundwater monitoring events were conducted and did not reveal groundwater contamination exceeding MTCA Method A cleanup levels.
 
In 1997, five soil borings and one additional groundwater monitoring well were installed at the Site.  Samples collected from B-6, at the center of the previous excavation location, contained TPH-Dx concentrations of 2,500 ppm at 19 feet below ground surface (bgs).  The sample collected from 23’ bgs was non-detect for TPH-Dx.  All other soil samples collected from these soil borings were non-detect for TPH-Dx.  This 1997 sampling event confirmed that contamination was contained at the Site and did not pose a risk of migration to groundwater. 
 
At this point it was decided that protective capping would be the final remedial action for the Site.  Asphalt was used to cover the majority of the Site that does not fall under the building footprint.  In addition, all drywells were abandoned, and all other drains in the area were filled with concrete.  

In September 1998, a restrictive covenant was recorded for the Site.

Based upon cleanup activities and the recorded restrictive covenant, Ecology has determined the site is no longer a threat to human health and the environment.  Ecology issued No Further Action determination in 1998.

Periodic reviews are conducted every 5 years by Ecology for sites that have Environmental Covenants and/or Institutional Controls. The review is intended to examine the effectiveness of cleanup activities and to assure the continued protection of human health and the environment.

Periodic Review Results

The cleanup actions completed at the Site is protective of human health and the environment. 

Soil cleanup levels have not been met at the Site; however, the cleanup action is determined to comply with cleanup standards under WAC 173-340-740(6)(f), since the long-term integrity of the containment system is ensured and the requirements for containment technologies have been met. 

The restrictive covenant for the property is in place and will be effective in protecting public health and the environment from exposure to hazardous substances and protecting the integrity of the cleanup action.