Boeing Auburn cleanup site

We held a public comment period from July 19-Sept. 7, 2018. Boeing has operated under a corrective action permit since 2006. This permit lets them clean up contamination at the Auburn facility.

The permit needed to be reissued because it had expired — not due to any new contamination at the site. Read the:

• Response to public comments
• Final Agreed Order (legal agreement) (PDF)
• Permit (PDF)
• Public participation plan

1966 - early 1990s: TCE in use

Boeing used trichloroethene (TCE) as a degreasing solvent to clean metal parts.

1990s: Early investigation

Boeing began investigating the soil and groundwater at the facility.

Mid 1990s: TCE release documented

Boeing documented and notified Ecology of a prior release of TCE at the facility.

2002: Agreed order

Ecology and Boeing signed an agreed order to investigate potential and actual releases at the facility, in compliance with state law.

2003: Investigation begins

Under our direction, Boeing began to study the contamination (remedial investigation).

2005: Interim action

High levels of contamination on an area of the Boeing property prompted us to require an interim cleanup. High levels of TCE were found where a degreaser had been in Building 17-05 (the building has been torn down). The interim action brought TCE concentrations in that area below state cleanup levels. This interim action will not be the final cleanup.

2006: Agreed order amendment

Ecology and Boeing amended the agreed order, in compliance with state law, to include property ownership transitions.

2009: Investigation off property

We directed Boeing to check for contaminated groundwater beyond the Boeing property boundary.

2011: Contamination found off property

Boeing found contamination beyond their property boundaries; we notified water districts and cities of Algona, Auburn, and Pacific.

2012: Drinking water is safe

The Department of Health published a report confirming that the public drinking water systems are safe.

2013: Public meetings

We held public meetings in Algona to discuss the investigation progress and air quality testing.

2015: Feasibility study

Boeing started a pilot project in commercial Algona to test cleanup methods. As they collect information on methods that work, they will propose solutions for cleanup of the contaminated areas.

2017: Draft remedial investigation report & comment period

Boeing prepared a draft report based on their findings from the remedial investigation. We held a public comment period on that report in April 2017. Boeing revised the report and resubmitted it. We approved the revised Remedial Investigation in September 2017. 

2019: Boeing submits their feasibility study

A feasibility study goes over the pros and cons of possible cleanup methods. The best methods are recommended for implementation. Ecology received Boeing Auburn's feasibility study on October 30, 2019 and hopes to complete their review by early 2020. The feasibility study will go out for public comment before it becomes final. 

2021: Cleanup action plan

We will propose a cleanup action plan for the site.

2023: Cleanup implemented

Boeing will implement a cleanup plan approved by Ecology, after public comment.

Ongoing: Monitoring

We will review Boeing's monitoring of the cleanup to ensure it is effective and protects human health and the environment.

In parts of Auburn and Algona, groundwater is contaminated with a degreaser called trichloroethene (TCE) and its breakdown products. It is believed that the chemicals came from Boeing’s Auburn facility. The contaminated groundwater flows north and northwest away from the Boeing property under portions of northeast Algona and southwest Auburn. To date, the chemicals in the contaminated groundwater are at low levels that should not pose a risk to human health and the environment. If future testing finds levels that do pose an immediate risk, Ecology will have Boeing take actions to protect people in the area.

TCE was used at the facility from 1966 until the early 1990s, so we believe the contamination occurred during that timeframe. It is unlikely that the contamination came from a single release or spill. Use of TCE at the facility was phased out by the early 1990s, so there is no risk of additional TCE contamination from this facility.

Boeing’s cleanup must follow Washington's cleanup process. The process requires a thorough investigation of the contamination and of possible cleanup options. So far, most efforts have gone toward the first phase of the process, called the Remedial Investigation, where we studied the type and extent of the contamination. The size and complexity of the contaminated area added to the work and time needed for the investigation. The next step will be developing a feasibility study, which will review possible ways to clean up the contamination. As this work goes on, Boeing continues to regularly test both groundwater and surface water at the site under our supervision.   

In 2002, Boeing tested bioremediation treatment under one of their buildings where there were very high levels of TCE. Bioremediation puts certain bacteria and vegetable oil into the contaminated groundwater through wells to break down contamination. The pilot project reduced levels of TCE and the related chemicals to within federal drinking water standards.

Yes. The water in homes and businesses comes from public water systems that are monitored by the Washington State Department of Health. The contamination found so far does not affect drinking water wells, and the groundwater in the area flows away from existing wells. Testing by the Department of Health has not found any chemicals of concern. Private wells in the area are not monitored by the Department of Health. 

 

Yes. We studied fruits and vegetables grown in area gardens and found that they did not pose a threat to people. The chemicals do not build up in the plant or fruit tissue.

 

TCE and its breakdown products are colorless and odorless at the concentrations found at this site. The rainbow colored sheen sometimes seen in ditches is likely from bacteria commonly found in wetlands.