Lakewood

Overview

The Lakewood site, also known as Ponders Corner or the Plaza Cleaners site, sits in the Lakewood Urban Growth Area of Pierce County, Washington. Dry cleaning operations at Plaza Cleaners released solvents into the ground before 1983, sending contamination roughly 2,000 feet downhill through soil and groundwater. The site was added to the National Priorities List in September 1983.

Contaminants found in groundwater, soil, and air include tetrachloroethene, trichloroethene, cis-1,2-dichloroethene, trans-1,2-dichloroethene, and 1,2-dichloroethene. These volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are the focus of cleanup actions. In 1981, two Lakewood Water District drinking water supply wells tested positive for VOC contamination. The Water District shut those wells down immediately and notified residents.

Cleanup has moved in stages. Heavily contaminated soils and sludge were excavated and removed off-site in 1988 and 1989. Soil vapor extraction then removed remaining VOCs from the ground, with soil cleanup finishing in 1992. Two air strippers were built in 1984 to treat drinking water drawn from Lakewood Water District wells, and treated water has been delivered to residents and businesses since November 1984. Soils were deleted from the National Priorities List in November 1996. Groundwater treatment continues under Washington State Department of Ecology oversight. Local regulations prevent new private wells from being drilled in the contaminated area, so all residents and businesses receive water from the public system.

The site achieved sitewide ready-for-anticipated-reuse status in September 2019, meaning surface and soil areas are ready for use. The site currently hosts residential and commercial activity, including an electrical supply and lighting company. McChord Air Force Base is located a quarter mile to the south. A five-year review completed in July 2022 confirmed that cleanup actions protect public health and the environment. The next five-year review is estimated for July through September 2027, and a new groundwater investigation is estimated to begin between March and May 2028. The site remains on the National Priorities List until groundwater cleanup is complete.

Community members with questions can contact the EPA Remedial Project Manager or the Community Involvement Coordinator. For state-related questions, contact the Washington Department of Ecology.