Groundwater Contamination at former dry cleaner site
This property is located on the east side of the Fox River in McHenry on
Elm Street (Route 120). Gem Cleaners occupied the site from 1970 to 1977,
after which it was occupied by carpet dealers, an automotive repair facility,
and a tire store. The site is approximately 1/3 of an acre on which a 4,782
square-foot building is currently a car rental business. The site is located
in a mixed industrial, commercial and residential area. Parts of the area
are incorporated, and some are not. Currently, the public water supply is
only available to some properties along Route 120, where there is a water
main in place. Most of the homes and businesses use private wells for their
water source.
Historic use of solvents at this location has resulted in contamination
of the soil and groundwater by Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These are
common chemicals found in industrial and commercial solvents. Soil contamination
appears to be associated with a former septic field and another spill area
on-site. Groundwater contamination appears to extend beyond the property
boundaries. The Fox River is located approximately 1100 feet west of the
site. The consultant for the site owner is currently determining the rate
and extent of the groundwater contamination.
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