Sporlan Valve Plant #1 Superfund Site, Washington, Franklin County, Missouri - Fact Sheet, March 2023

The Sporlan Valve Plant #1 Superfund Site (site) is located at 611 E. 7th Street, Washington, Franklin County, Missouri. The site was first developed as a refrigeration valve manufacturing facility in 1939. Trichloroethylene (TCE) was used at the facility as a degreaser and industrial solvent. Releases of TCE have occurred, potentially over several decades, resulting in contaminated soil and groundwater beneath the facility. To learn more about the site and its history, visit EPA’s Site Profile page.

What is Trichloroethylene (TCE)?

Trichloroethylene (TCE, also trichloroethene) is a contaminant of concern (COC) at the site. COCs are chemicals that need to be addressed by a cleanup action because they are a potential threat to human health or the environment. TCE is an organic chemical compound that evaporates under normal indoor temperatures and pressure. TCE is part of some industrial and commercial processes, including those in dry cleaning facilities. It is one of the most common contaminants at Superfund sites.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has a series of online summaries about contaminants, called ToxFAQs, where you can find one about trichloroethylene (TCE).

Remedial Investigation Progress

This site was listed on the federal Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) in 2019. The NPL is a list of the nation’s hazardous waste sites with the highest priority for cleanup. Since then, additional investigation has been underway to determine the extent of contamination as part of the Remedial Investigation. During the summer of 2021, additional groundwater monitoring wells were installed, a tree core study was conducted, and sediment and surface water were sampled along Brush Creek.

The tree core study served as a relatively quick and broad screening of the area. Based on the tree core study results, which were received in early 2022, EPA identified additional residences for quarterly indoor air sampling. This targeted indoor air sampling began in April 2022 and concluded in January 2023. 

By sampling additional groundwater wells that were installed in 2021, EPA identified contamination present in shallow bedrock, which had not been investigated previously. Based on this new information, EPA plans to install and sample additional wells to further investigate deeper bedrock and delineate contamination in the shallower subsurface.