Boeing Auburn Cleanup Site

We oversee the cleanup process that Boeing conducts at its Auburn facility, 700 15th St. SW. Low levels of soil and groundwater contamination at this site extend more than a mile north and northwest of Boeing’s property.

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How did the site get contaminated?

Boeing treated and stored hazardous waste at its Auburn facility where it produces parts for commercial aircraft.

Contamination on the property includes:

Traces of metals
Petroleum hydrocarbons
Solvent chemicals such as TCE (trichloroethylene), a liquid chemical used to clean metal parts

While Boeing Auburn no longer uses TCE, the use of this chemical to clean metal parts between the mid-1960s to the 1990s led to the contamination we see today. Boeing will carry out a cleanup plan that we approve as part of the Model Toxics Control Act cleanup process.

What did we test for contamination?

Groundwater moves slowly through soil, sand, and rocks underground. While groundwater contamination is above cleanup levels, the concentrations are low and do not affect people, pets, or the environment. Low level TCE contamination in groundwater extends for more than a mile north and northwest of the Boeing Auburn facility.

Boeing evaluated site-wide groundwater contamination and potential cleanup options in the feasibility and supplemental feasibility studies. These studies compare cleanup methods.

The cleanup methods selected were:

Bioremediation.
Natural attenuation.

Boeing is implementing the cleanup action plan.

Even though soil contamination levels are low and not a risk to human health and the environment, there are a few areas where soil contamination is above cleanup levels. Where soils are above cleanup levels they will be excavated and disposed of as hazardous waste.

Soils on-site were contaminated with low levels of petroleum hydrocarbons, cyanide, and metals (such as cadmium and copper).

Surface water is safe. Boeing collected and tested hundreds of water samples. None contained toxic chemicals at levels that affect human health.

Samples were collected from:

Government Canal
Stormwater collection ditch on Chicago Ave
O Street wetland
Outlet Collection stormwater ponds and collection ditch
Auburn 400 ponds
Mill Creek and various wetlands associated with Mill Creek, including Auburn Environmental Park

Boeing continues to evaluate groundwater across the site.

Breathing the air near the site is safe. Air samples taken from inside and outside homes and buildings were reviewed by the Department of Health (DOH).

Read about the results of DOH's City of Algona Indoor Air Results.

We monitor the levels of volatile contaminants in groundwater (chemicals that contain carbon and become a gas at room temperature). If these contaminant levels rise in groundwater, we can test more indoor air samples to make sure it remains safe.

Drinking water, surface water, and shallow groundwater cleanup standards. Click image to go to accessible publication 21-04-023.

Groundwater cleanup standards for TCE

This infographic shows the different trichloroethylene (TCE) cleanup standards for drinking water (groundwater) and surface water.

View publication 21-04-023.

Monitored natural attenuation

Monitored natural attenuation (MNA) involves closely monitoring the natural breakdown of chemicals on a contaminated site until cleanup standards are reached.

Click the image to enlarge.
Click for plain text explanation.

Bioremediation

The use of microbes — such as bacteria that live naturally in the environment — to clean up contaminated soil or groundwater. Bioremediation stimulates the growth of certain microbes that use contaminants as a source of food and energy.

At the Boeing Auburn site, bioremediation has been used successfully to break down chemicals in contaminated groundwater.

For more information:

History of site cleanup

In 2002, we and Boeing studied the contamination and developed a plan for cleanup. In 2009, we found that the groundwater contamination had spread off Boeing's property and required more sampling to find out how far the contamination had spread. Here is the timeline of what's been done and where we are in the cleanup process.

2002: Agreed order and bioremediation testing

We and Boeing sign an agreed order to investigate releases at the facility.
Boeing tests bioremediation to clean up an area under a building with high levels of TCE.

2003: Remedial investigation begins
Boeing begins to study the contamination further.

2005: Interim action using bioremediation

High TCE contamination levels lead us to require Boeing to conduct an interim cleanup.
Boeing conducts an interim cleanup using a bioremediation pilot project to treat an area with highly contaminated levels of TCE and related chemicals.
Interim action brings area to within federal drinking water standards.

2006: Agreed order amendment
We and Boeing amend the agreed order to include property ownership transitions.

2009: Investigation off-site
We require Boeing to check for contaminated groundwater outside of their property

2011: Contamination found off-site

Boeing finds groundwater contamination outside of their property.
We inform water districts and the cities of Algona, Auburn, and Pacific.

2012: Tests show drinking water is safe
Department of Health confirms that the public drinking water is safe.

2013: Public meetings
We hold public meetings in Algona to discuss the investigation and air quality testing.

2015: Cleanup method trial (bioremediation)

Boeing tests enhanced bioremediation on low level trichloroethylene (TCE) contamination in commercial Algona.
All bioremediation applications are successful.

2017: Draft remedial investigation report & comment period
We approve the revised remedial investigation in Sept. 2017.

2019 - 2021: Boeing submits feasibility studies

We receive Boeing's feasibility and supplemental feasibility studies (studies that compares possible cleanup methods) in Oct. 2019 and Dec. 2020.
Public comment on these documents ends June 18, 2021.
These documents are finalized.

Frequently asked questions

Boeing’s cleanup must follow Washington's cleanup process. The process requires a thorough investigation of the contamination and possible cleanup options. The large area of contaminated groundwater (1 mile by 1.5 miles) at depths of 30-100 feet underground, increases the work and time for the investigation. Boeing regularly tests both groundwater and surface water at the site under our supervision.

At the Boeing Auburn site, bioremediation has been used successfully to break down chemicals in contaminated groundwater.

For more information, read:

Blog post about the bioremediation pilot study at Boeing Auburn.
Focus sheet: Current bioremediation at Boeing Auburn.

Monitored natural attenuation (MNA) means to oversee how effective the natural environment breaks down chemicals at a contaminated site.

Natural processes in the environment that are monitored include:

Dispersion and dilution: Chemicals spread out (dispersion) and are watered down (dilution) as they flow with groundwater away from the contamination source over time.
Chemical reactions: Chemicals break down through chemical reactions in the soil and groundwater.
Biodegradation: Living bacteria naturally found in soil and water consume contaminants over time.
Sorption: Chemicals in groundwater stick to carbon in the soil it comes in contact with. This removes them from the groundwater.
Evaporation: Chemicals become vapor and move into small air pockets around soil particles. These gases eventually reach the surface, reducing the amount of chemicals in the groundwater.

How effective is this cleanup method?

Computer modeling and groundwater sampling indicate that MNA, when paired with bioremediation, effectively reduces contaminants in soil and groundwater.

For more information, read our:

Focus sheet: Monitored natural attenuation

Translated content

Nosotros supervisamos el proceso de limpieza que Boeing lleva a cabo en sus instalaciones en el 700 15th St. SW. Niveles bajos de contaminación en el suelo y en el agua subterránea en este sitio se extienden más de una milla hacia el norte y el noroeste de la propiedad de Boeing.

¿Qué está sucediendo ahora en el sitio?

El estudio de factibilidad de Boeing (FS por sus siglas en inglés) y el estudio complementario de factibilidad (SFS por sus siglas en inglés) para comparar métodos de limpieza ya están finalizados ahora que ha pasado el comentario público.
El comentario público termino el 18 de junio de 2021. Recibimos dos comentarios, los que publicaremos junto con nuestras respuestas cuando estén disponibles.
Boeing está de acuerdo en usar el estándar de limpieza del agua subterránea que nosotros propusimos.
Boeing está preparando un borrador del plan de limpieza. Este irá a comentario público antes de que sea finalizado.

Planes de limpieza para el suelo y el agua subterránea

Boeing evaluó la contaminación del agua subterránea y las opciones potenciales de limpieza para todo el sitio en los estudios de factibilidad. Estos estudios comparan los métodos de limpieza. Los métodos de limpieza elegidos fueron biorremediación y atenuación natural. Boeing está preparando un borrador del plan de acción de limpieza.

Enfoque en: Biorremediación Mejorada en el Sitio Boeing Auburn
(Focus on: Boeing Auburn Site Enhanced Bioremediation)
Enfocar en: Atenuación Natural Monitoreada en el Sitio de Boeing Auburn
(Focus on: Boeing Auburn Site Monitored Natural Attenuation)

¿Qué pasa después?

Cuando se preparen los nuevos documentos del sitio, usted será notificado acerca de periodos adicionales de comentario público.

Si le gustaría recibir documentos en español, por favor llame a Amelia Min-Venditti al 360-819-0304 o envíe un correo electrónico a preguntas@ecy.wa.gov.

We offer free language services about our programs and services for people whose primary language is not English. We can provide written information in your preferred language and interpreters in person or over the telephone.

Contact our Language Access team: civilrights@ecy.wa.gov

Contact information

Li Ma
Site Manager
li.ma@ecy.wa.gov
206-594-0051

Janelle Anderson
Public Involvement Coordinator
janelle.anderson@ecy.wa.gov
206-594-0053