Agreement advances cleanup efforts at former VA site in Salt Lake City

The Environmental Protection Agency, Veterans Affairs (VA) and Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) recently signed a Federal Facility Agreement (FFA) on their roles and responsibilities for the rehabilitation of a superfund site in Salt Lake City.

The 700 South 1600 East PCE Plume Superfund Site formerly hosted a dry cleaning facility while under the management of the VA, when the site hosted the George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center in the 1970s. The dry cleaning facility used tetrachloroethylene, also known as PCE or PERC, and the substance was later found to have contaminated groundwater and springs in the area.

Through the FFA, the VA is the lead agency on the site’s response and will conduct investigation and cleanup activities in accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act.

“The signed Federal Facility Agreement with EPA, VA and UDEQ takes us into the next major phase of the Superfund process at this site," EPA Regional Administrator Shaun McGrath said. "With the good work of the VA, the community has been involved and well informed throughout this process and we are pleased with the progress.”