  |
|
|
Department of Ecology News Release - July 18, 2008
08-199
WALLA WALLA – Washington’s Ecology and Corrections departments are working together to clean up historical contamination at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla.
Industrial chemicals commonly used for equipment maintenance or dry cleaning are contaminating underground water near Washington State Penitentiary (WSP) property. The contamination may have come from materials disposed of in an old landfill, which was closed in 1987.
Corrections and Ecology are negotiating an Agreed Order that will outline how the contamination will be cleaned up.
“We are confident that we will come to an agreement soon so Corrections can start a more- detailed investigation,” said Michael Hibbler, section manager for Ecology’s Toxics Cleanup Program in Spokane. “The investigation will address potential sources of the contamination and be protective of WSP inmates, staff and the environment.”
During periods of its history, WSP used hazardous chemicals in its operations. Those chemicals included solvents such as perchloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), petroleum, and other petroleum-based solvents. The operations included furniture refinishing and repair, license plate and sign manufacturing, dry cleaning, and motor pool maintenance.
Some of the chemicals may have been disposed of in a construction/demolition debris landfill on penitentiary property. Chemical contamination has reached underground water and moved beyond the landfill.
Ecology has performed a Site Hazard Assessment and ranked the site as a 3 on a scale of 1 to 5. Sites with a 1 ranking pose the highest potential threat to human health and the environment.
Investigators have no evidence that the contamination has affected neighbors’ wells or city drinking water.
On Tuesday, July 22, Ecology staff members plan to interview Walla Walla residents and WSP inmates and employees. The interviews will help shape public involvement with the cleanup, including how information about the work will be shared with the public.
Corrections operates WSP, founded in 1887, on 540 acres near the city of Walla Walla. The penitentiary employs more than 1,200 staff members and can house more than 2,000 inmates.
###
Media Contacts:
Seth Preston, Ecology communications manager, 360-407-6848; 360-584-5744
cell; spreston461@ecy.wa.gov
Lori Scamahorn, Washington State Penitentiary
Administrative Program Manager, 509-524-7716;
lmscamahorn@doc1.wa.gov
Corrections’ website: http://www.doc.wa.gov/
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
