Walla Walla Farmers Coop

111 N 9th Ave Walla Walla, Walla Walla County
Facility Site ID: 769
Cleanup Site ID: 916

More about cleanup

Cleanup Complete

Ecology removed the Walla Walla Farmers Co-op cleanup site from Washington's Contaminated Sites List in 2018. The list includes all sites awaiting or undergoing investigation or cleanup.

Investigation, cleanup, and monitoring of pesticide contamination in groundwater occurred from 1985 to 2017. Following four consecutive quarters of groundwater monitoring results meeting state standards, the site no longer poses a threat to human health or the environment. The environmental covenant is still on the property to document remaining soil contamination under buildings.

Site History

Walla Walla Farmers Cooperative, an association that operates on a non-profit cooperative basis as an agent for its members, owns the farm chemical storage, mixing, and handling facility. Previously, pesticide and herbicide containers and fertilizer sprayers were rinsed, and contaminated water seeped into the ground. As a result, soil and groundwater became contaminated.

In 1985, Ecology started investigating the site after a complaint about illegal dumping. Since then, a series of investigations and cleanup actions: 

  • Determined the extent and locations of contamination
  • Removed contaminated soil and cap remaining contaminated soil that couldn’t be excavated
  • Improved and monitor groundwater quality 

In addition, a restrictive covenant was recorded on the property to limit or prohibit site activities that could expose remaining contamination or negatively affect the cleanup. Land use is limited to industrial purposes. The pavement may not be disturbed, no soil may be removed, and groundwater withdrawal and use is restricted. The covenant shows the type and location of contamination to inform prospective buyers, and Ecology must be notified of a property sale.

Periodic reviews

Ecology has completed three periodic reviews for the site and found the cleanup remains effective. You can learn more in the reports:

Site use restrictions called institutional controls are in effect

Institutional controls can be fences, signs, or restrictions on how the property is used. For instance, an institutional control may prohibit installing drinking water wells or disturbing a protective cap that isolates contamination. These restrictions keep the contamination contained and keep people from being exposed to the contamination. The controls are usually listed in environmental covenants recorded with the county.

Periodic reviews are required when institutional controls are required at a site. Ecology conducts reviews to make sure the controls remain effective and the cleanup still protects human health and the environment. We conduct periodic reviews about every five years.

Environmental Covenant

County Recording #: 9405398
County Recording Date: 5/5/1994

Restrictions/Requirements

  • Prevent the Reuse or Relocation of Site Soil
  • Restrict Land Use

Restricted Media

  • Soil
Places to see print documents
Legal 2
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Order Satisfaction Letter: Walla Walla Farmers Co-op 6/25/2018 Order Notice of Satisfaction/Status
Environmental Covenant: Walla Walla Farmers Co-op 5/5/1994 Environmental Covenant; Alternative Mechanism
Outreach Information 1
Document Title Document Date Document Type
Responsiveness Summary for Second Periodic Review: Walla Walla Farmers Co-op 3/13/2013 Responsiveness Summary
Technical Reports 4
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 Office
    N 4601 Monroe St
    Spokane, 99205-1265
    Please schedule an appointment to view print documents at this location.

Contaminants 3

Contaminant Type
Soil
Groundwater
Surface Water
Air
Sediment
Bedrock
Non-Halogenated Organics - Petroleum Products-Unspecified RA RB
Other Contaminant - Conventional Contaminants, Inorganic RA RB
Pesticides - Pesticides-Unspecified RA RB
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.