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PCE Plume Information

PCE Plume Information

A map shows a detailed view of a city area with streets and landmarks.Recent news coverage about the regional PCE groundwater plume on Salt Lake City’s east side has understandably raised questions for many in our community. We want to provide clear, factual information and reassure families about what we know, how the district is involved, and what steps are planned moving forward.

Most importantly, indoor air sampling has not identified harmful concentrations inside East High School.

To help address common questions and correct some misunderstandings, below is a concise summary of the facts and the district’s role in this process.

  • The PCE plume is a federally managed Superfund site, originating near the Salt Lake City VA Medical Center. Oversight and responsibility for testing, monitoring, and cleanup fall under:

    • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
    • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
    • Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
    • Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ)

    School districts are not authorized, equipped, or funded to perform groundwater testing or vapor intrusion sampling. These activities must be conducted by the designated federal and state environmental agencies.

  • Although the district’s monitoring agreement (MOU) with the VA recently expired, we have continued regular coordination through calls, emails, and site access.

    We are now finalizing a new MOU to allow continued indoor-air testing and other sampling at East High.

    • The VA requested a 20-year agreement due to the long timeline for mitigation.
    • The district is negotiating a 5-year MOU with renewal options to preserve operational flexibility.

    • Indoor air sampling has not identified harmful concentrations at the school.
    • ATSDR has stated that although past results do not indicate danger, additional long-term sampling is needed to fully assess conditions.
    • These next steps will occur once the new MOU is in place.

    According to PCE Plume website, this is a regional environmental issue, not a school-specific problem.

  • The groundwater plume extends beneath a wide area, including:

    • the University of Utah
    • Sunnyside Park
    • Rowland Hall
    • Mount Olivet Cemetery
    • surrounding neighborhoods

    East High is one of many properties in the area. At no point have environmental agencies provided data showing an indoor-air hazard at the school.

  • We recognize that some community members—including those who contacted Rep. Nguyen—believed that the district should conduct its own environmental testing.

    To clarify:

    • The district cannot legally conduct independent Superfund testing.
    • The district is not required or funded to take on that role.
    • Testing is the exclusive responsibility of federal and state environmental regulators.

    Our responsibility is to cooperate fully, provide access, and ensure safe school operations—which we have done consistently.

  • Based on information from the VA and ATSDR:

    • Additional indoor-air and groundwater testing at East High will begin after the new MOU is signed.
    • February 2026 – Mitigation feasibility study expected
    • October 2026 – Proposed plan released, followed by public comment
    • Mid-2027 – Final cleanup and mitigation decision expected

    We will share all results with families as soon as we receive them.

  • While we remain fully engaged, duplicating Superfund-level environmental sampling would divert limited resources away from students, classrooms, and staff. The VA remains the designated responsible party for all testing and long-term mitigation.

We understand that environmental concerns can be unsettling. Please know:

  • There is no evidence of immediate risk to students or staff at East High School.
  • The district continues to work directly with the VA, EPA, ATSDR, UDEQ, and local health agencies.
  • We will provide families with timely, transparent updates as more information becomes available.
  • For verified information, background, maps, and FAQs, you may visit the PCE Plume website.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership as we work together to support the safety and well-being of all students.