In summer 2017, the Village of St. Johnsville requested U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assistance with assessing and addressing the threats associated with drums of unknown contents at the Medical Linen Systems Site in the Village of St. Johnsville, Montgomery County, New York. Approximately 30 drums, which can be observed from the roadway into the site facility through a collapsed overhead door, are in view from New Street with the potential for others to be located throughout the facility. Several of these containers were observed to be on their sides, corroded, bulging and on wet ground, indicating a potential for active leaks. Streaking along the sides of the drums indicates that contents may be leaking from the top of the containers. Additionally, markings such as a corrosive label, are on the exterior of these containers. The site building has unrestricted access with evidence of trespassing and appears to have a collapsed roof in another section of the building. It is unknown if containers, tanks or vats are located in this area. Directly outside of the collapsed overhead door in which drums are located, is a storm drain. The storm drain eventually leads to the Mohawk River.
The approximate 0.4-acre facility was once a laundering service before the company shut down in 2011. The building had been foreclosed on by the county and subsequently sold to private entities. The building has fallen into disrepair with a partially collapsed roof and vulnerabilities for trespassing. From the road, drums can be seen in various stages of deterioration.
