Grants Chlorinated Solvents Plume

Overview

The Grants Chlorinated Solvents Plume is a federally listed Superfund site in Grants, New Mexico. It centers on a groundwater plume that stretches roughly 1,000 feet from the Holiday Cleaners dry cleaning facility, which has operated since 1969. Most releases happened before 1988, when old equipment leaked and storage containers spilled. A second, smaller source came from an abandoned dry cleaner that operated from 1976 to 1977.

Seventeen contaminants of concern have been identified at the site. They include tetrachloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethene, vinyl chloride, dichloroethene compounds, benzene, bromoform, and mixed xylenes. These substances have been found in groundwater, soil, and soil gas. People can be exposed by ingesting or touching contaminated soil or groundwater, or by breathing vapors that seep into buildings through a process called vapor intrusion.

Several cleanup actions have already been completed or are underway. In 2012, in-situ thermal treatment destroyed contaminants in about 33,000 cubic yards of soil at the main source area. Ongoing groundwater treatment uses injected emulsified vegetable oil and nutrients to break down remaining contamination through a process called enhanced bioremediation. Vapor intrusion mitigation systems have been installed at 15 buildings to keep contaminated vapors out of indoor air. The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) now leads operation and maintenance, with EPA conducting five-year reviews. The site has also received Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to optimize groundwater cleanup and continue vapor intrusion work.

As of April 2024, EPA determined the site is protective of human health and the environment in the short term. Human exposure is currently under control across the entire site. An institutional control prohibits new well drilling in the affected area, so no known exposure to contaminated groundwater exists. Indoor air testing shows no contaminant vapors at unsafe levels in buildings with mitigation systems. Contaminated groundwater is stabilized in its original area with no unacceptable discharge to surface water. For long-term protection, EPA recommends periodic soil gas and indoor air testing and additional monitoring wells to track plume movement. The site is not yet ready for full anticipated reuse, meaning additional work is needed before all cleanup goals are met and land-use restrictions can be fully lifted. A fourth five-year review will begin in 2028 and finish by the end of 2029.

In August 2025, NMED and EPA began to collect additional indoor air and soil gas samples, install monitoring wells, and place exterior soil vapor points, with a focus on Washington Avenue and Anderman Street. Homeowners can volunteer their properties for sampling at no cost. If installation and maintenance of any remediation equipment is required, they will be provided by NMED/EPA at no cost to homeowners. For questions, or to volunteer your property for sampling, contact NMED's Joshua Faulconer at Joshua.faulconer@env.nm.gov or 505-670-1244, or NMED Project Manager Olga Rodriguez at Olga.Rodriguez@env.nm.gov or 505-469-0503.