The Community Laundromat site (Site) was discovered while assessing two neighboring sites (the Sentinel Wood Treater site to the west and the 12th Avenue Solvents site to the north). Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) was discovered in groundwater and surface water samples and was not associated with either of the other sites. After further communication with the operator of the laundromat, it was discovered that the facility had operated as a dry cleaning facility in the past and "normal" amounts of PCE had been spilled in and just outside the building. A removal assessment was conducted and discovered a small portion of contaminated soil at depth (approximately 12-18 feet below ground surface) and an area of highly contaminated groundwater near the original building location. PCE and degredation products were also discovered off-site. After multiple years of negotiating with the current property owner, it was determined that the best option for cleanup was for the owner to enter into the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Dry-Cleaning Emergency Response Trust (DERT) program. The property owner applied and was accepted into the MDNR DERT program in January 2010. In September 2011, due to non-compliance by the property owner, the Site was transferred back to the EPA.
