For the Reporter

Environmental consultants start work this fall in northern Algona to determine whether groundwater contamination that originates on property owned by The Boeing Co. in Auburn affects road ditches or winter-time ponds in the area.

The effort is part of a continuing investigation, directed by the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) and carried out and paid for by Boeing.

The consultants, from Boeing’s environmental contractor, Landau Associates, will first collect water samples from city stormwater ditches in the residential area.

Later this fall or winter, owners and occupants of about 32 homes and lots will receive letters from the contractor to ask whether water collects in ponds on their property. If so, the company will ask permission to take samples of that water.

The water table in Algona can be very high in the fall and winter. When this happens, groundwater can enter low-lying areas and mix with rainwater. The ditch-and-yard study will help determine whether groundwater contaminants may be present in surface water during the wet season, and, if so, at what concentrations.

Groundwater studies in Auburn and Algona have detected trichloroethene (TCE), a solvent formerly used by Boeing, and related compounds that form as TCE degrades. These include cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cis-1,2-DCE), and vinyl chloride. Groundwater studies in areas outside the Boeing property have detected these compounds at low levels.

The stormwater ditch study will include streets bounded by 7th Avenue North, Boundary Boulevard, State Route 167 and Chicago Avenue. Boeing took groundwater samples in this area earlier this year and did not detect contamination in most locations. The 32 homes and lots are located in the northeastern portion of this area, where groundwater sampling did detect low levels of groundwater contamination.

The City of Algona has aided the study with arrangements for the street-ditch sampling and other technical assistance.

This surface water study is one step in determining the potential effects from contaminated groundwater under parts of Auburn and Algona. Ecology may direct additional surface water sampling, depending on the results of this study.

A water sample previously collected from the Chicago Avenue ditch, in the planned study area, contained the chemicals TCE, cis-1,2-DCE, vinyl chloride and tetrachloroethylene (PCE). The Washington State Department of Health completed an assessment to see if the ditch water would have an impact to children or city workers. The Department of Health found the levels were not likely to cause health problems for people who come into contact with it.

Ecology will request a further assessment from the Department of Health once the upcoming sampling is completed.

Ecology is mailing information about the project to addresses in and near the study areas. When results of the surface water sampling are available, Ecology will post the information online.

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For more information:

Boeing Auburn contaminated groundwater investigation

Ecology fact sheet