The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a new round of testing for chemical vapors at 81 downtown Billings locations, extending the agency’s long‑standing effort to safeguard the community’s health. Crews are drilling through basements and installing monitoring ports to sample for perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE), two solvents once used by a dry‑cleaning operation that contaminated the soil and groundwater beneath the city more than three decades ago.
Why the additional testing matters
EPA remedial project manager Roger Hoogerheide explained that the original plume of contaminated groundwater continues to migrate northeast from the source at 715 Central Avenue. As the plume moves, vapors can travel upward through cracks in concrete, utility conduits, or other preferential pathways and enter homes and businesses, much like radon. “You can’t change what’s happened already, so right now all you can do is move forward and try and make sure that the community is safe,” said Aly Turner, executive director of the Moss Mansion, one of the newly identified sites.
Testing process and next steps
EPA contractors have already drilled through the basement floor of KTVQ, a local television station, and will soon deploy a Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA) mobile laboratory to measure vapor concentrations on site. The agency previously removed 3,600 tons of contaminated soil from the original source and installed radon‑style mitigation systems in 400 homes in June. The new testing phase aims to determine whether additional buildings will require similar mitigation.
Property manager Bryan Gentry, whose building sits next to the original contamination site, reported that repeated EPA tests have shown clean indoor air. “We’ve had several tests over the years that show we have a clean bill of health for as far as air quality inside the building from the EPA,” he said, underscoring the importance of ongoing monitoring.
Looking ahead
Hoogerheide indicated that the EPA expects to issue a formal cleanup document by 2028, after completing the current round of testing and analyzing the results. In the meantime, the agency’s focus remains on identifying any structures where vapors may pose a risk and installing mitigation systems to protect occupants.
The expanded testing reflects a continued commitment by federal and local partners to protect Billings families from legacy environmental hazards. By addressing the plume’s migration early, officials hope to prevent future health concerns and preserve the historic character of downtown properties.
Community response
Local residents and business owners have expressed relief that the EPA is taking proactive steps. The Moss Mansion, a beloved historic landmark, will undergo testing this week, and its staff emphasized the importance of transparency and safety for visitors. “We are grateful for the EPA’s diligence and will continue to cooperate fully to ensure our guests and staff remain safe,” Turner added.
As the testing proceeds, the EPA encourages anyone with concerns about indoor air quality to contact the agency’s local office for information on upcoming sampling schedules and mitigation options.
Original reporting: KTVQ Q2 Billings (local) — read the source article.
