UniFirst Dry-Cleaning Solvent Release

Since 2004, WHEM has worked for the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC) to monitor historical releases of dry-cleaning solvents in Williamstown, Brookfield, and Randolph, Vermont. These efforts address widespread contamination from tetrachloroethene (PCE) and other chlorinated hydrocarbons impacting groundwater and indoor air in these towns.

The sites include the now-demolished UniFirst Plant and surrounding impacted properties, including the Williamstown Elementary School and several private residences. Other sites include two former agricultural fields where these dry-cleaning solvents were introduced through the spreading of septic sludge from the Unifirst Plant onto farm fields.

WHEM conducts all fieldwork, project management, data analysis, technical reporting, and database management. The project operates under close oversight from VT DEC including legal review, and coordination with consultants representing UniFirst. Given the legal and public sensitivity of the site, WHEM performs all work with high standards of quality assurance, including elevated documentation, cross-checks, and third-party data validation.

WHEM’s fieldwork consists of:

• Indoor and outdoor air sampling (twice annually), including classrooms at the elementary school and private residences;
• Groundwater sampling (annually), including low-flow sampling of both shallow aquifer and bedrock wells;
• Drinking water supply well sampling (twice annually);
• Surface water sampling (every other year), including springs and seeps throughout the affected areas.

This project demonstrates WHEM’s longstanding commitment to public health protection, environmental stewardship, and technical excellence in high-stakes regulatory environments.