Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital Property

The property now operates as a medical facility and parking lot. During an environmental site assessment conducted in 1996, two areas of potential contamination were identified as a result of leaking underground storage tanks (USTs) that contained heating oil. During the removal of these tanks, two additional areas of contamination were identified.

In 2003, a contractor began removing several heating oil USTs located at the site. Petroleum contaminated soils were excavated from four areas containing hydrocarbon contamination. All contamination was successfully removed at three of the four locations. At the fourth location, excavation of all contaminated soil could not be removed without causing structural instability to the residence.
 
During construction of a new medical building at the site, two additional heating oil USTs were encountered and removed. A small amount of soil contamination was discovered at one of these USTs. Additional excavation was conducted and confirmation samples confirmed that no heating oil impacted soil remained at concentrations exceeding Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) Method A cleanup levels.  

A restrictive covenant was recorded for the site in 2003.

Based upon cleanup activities and the recording of the restrictive covenant, Ecology has determined the site is no longer a threat to human health and the environment. Ecology issued a no further action determination in June 2003.

Periodic reviews are conducted every 5 years by Ecology for sites that have 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

Based upon site visits conducted in 2008, 2013, and 2019, the site is still part of the Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital complex. The portion of the site containing residual contaminated soils is covered by asphalt parking area and landscaping. The surface area in the vicinity of the residual contaminated soils appears undisturbed. Asphalt and clean soil in the landscaped areas continue to eliminate direct contact exposure pathways (ingestion, contact) to contaminated soils.  

The cleanup actions completed at the site appear to be 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 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.