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PCE North West Street

 
Site Contact:
Brendan Martin
OSC

(martin.brendan@epa.gov)

Site Location:
400 N West Street
Sikeston, MO 63801
 response.epa.gov/PCENWStreet

Site Updates:

In July 2025, EPA started interviewing community members to understand their needs and will include findings in a Community Involvement Plan. Vestis also conducted groundwater tests, and BMU designed a new well system, submitting permits for construction. Installing the new wells is expected to start in November 2025, with further vapor testing planned for winter 2025.

In May 2025, EPA approved a plan detailing the technical steps for cleanup. In June 2025, Vestis completed initial vapor intrusion testing.

Background:

The site involves an active laundry business and a former dry cleaner in Sikeston, Missouri, where a chemical called tetrachloroethylene (PCE) has contaminated the groundwater, affecting two of the city's public drinking water wells. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take action to protect the public wells and address the risk of harmful vapors entering buildings. On November 25, 2024, the EPA reached an agreement with Vestis Services, LLC, the company responsible for the contamination, requiring them to:

  1. address the impact on public drinking water
  2. map out the extent of groundwater contamination
  3. assess and reduce vapor intrusion risks; and,
  4. establish rules to prevent future issues.

The contamination has affected public drinking water wells #8 and #13. Well #8 has had detections of PCE from 2006 to 2024 when the well was taken out of service due to a lightning strike. On two occasions in 2009, PCE in well #8 exceeded health-based standards for drinking water. Well #13 was installed in 2013 and PCE was detected in the well beginning in 2021. After well #8 was taken out of service in 2024, PCE and related contaminants have not been reported in treated water.

Vestis has identified areas with contaminated groundwater and continues to test to assess exposure risks. Vapor intrusion, where harmful chemicals enter buildings as gas, was previously found at the Vestis facility, and a system was installed to reduce it. More testing is planned at nearby properties.