OCEANA, W.Va. — State and federal environmental agencies are preparing to remove hazardous materials from the former Belchers Cleaners property in Wyoming County.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection inspected the abandoned building after receiving a complaint from a resident. Inspectors found the property in significant disrepair, with a partially collapsed roof, unsecured entrances and containers holding dry-cleaning chemicals and other waste. Some of the containers were reportedly open or leaking.
Materials found at the site include tetrachloroethylene, also known as perchloroethylene or “perc,” a synthetic solvent commonly used in dry-cleaning operations.
WVDEP issued an enforcement order requiring the property to be cleaned and coordinated with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 3 office to arrange a federal removal operation.
EPA contractors were expected to arrive Friday, with initial waste-containment work scheduled to begin Saturday.
Officials said removing the materials now will reduce the possibility of additional releases caused by severe weather or further deterioration of the building.
No immediate threat has been identified for neighboring residents or businesses.
WVDEP and the EPA will continue evaluating the property as work progresses and may adjust safety measures based on conditions found during the cleanup. Additional updates are expected to be provided to the Oceana community.
