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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - November 17, 1993 (70)CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION AGENDA TITLE: Presentation by Darlene Ruiz on behalf of Guild Cleaners regarding PCE/TCE Contamination MEETING DATE: November 17, 1993 PREPARED BY: Bob McNatt, City Attorney RECOMMENDED ACTION: Council discussion and then possible direction to staff. BACKGROUND: As the Council is aware, the State Department of Toxic Substance Control has been issued encroachment permits by the City to begin further testing in the downtown area for soil contamination by PCE and TCE, products associated with cleaning solvents. It is generally believed that these substances entered the soil from cleaning establishments in the downtown area. Ms. Ruiz has requested the opportunity to address the Council on the matter. She has indicated that it may be in the best interest of both the business community and the City to explore alternatives to the proposed testing and possible clean-up program that is now foreseeable in connection with this problem. The State Toxics people (a part of the California Environmental Protection Agency) have stated that they are prepared to move forward in this matter. Guild Cleaners has suggested, and the Council last week concurred with, a proposal that the testing be delayed 30 to 45 days in order to explore options or alternatives which may be less expensive for all involved. That request for delay was relayed to Jerry Marcotte, with the Department of Toxics) on November 5th. At present, no response has been received. FUNDING: Does not apply. BM:cj CC-RUIZ/TXTA.OIV APPROVED Respectfully submitted, Bob McNatt City Attorney THOMAS A. PETERSON City Manager L recycled pacer CC 1 HUNTER 21 October 1993 • Rra•n.ch. Gonsultakc. and Adis cw, Pr r f f The Honorable Phillip Pennino 1`10V 0 1 1993 Mayor of the City of Lodi P.O. Box 3006 City Attorney's QrficLa Lodi, California Re: Request for Item to be Placed on Agenda of City Council A. Dear Mayor Pewuno and City Council Members: On behalf of Jack Alquist, operator of Guild Cleaners I respectfully request that you place an item on the agenda of the City Council for your regularly scheduled meeting set for November 3, 1993. The item seeks a pronouncement of the City Council finding that no public health emergency exists involving the existence of PCE and TCE found in the ground water basin underlying the city of Lodi. The item would also seek an expression of intent and purpose to ask the State of California, including the Department of Toxic Substances Control to cease its investigation of the sources and scope of the contamination in order to allow for the city to work with its business community toward an efficient and cost effective means of addressing cleanup of the contamination. Background • In early 1989, the City of Lodi through its Public Works Department identified contamination of production well CW#3 in the downtown Lodi. For several reasons, only one of which was the level of PCE, the city decided to shut down well CW#3. • In 1990 the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) initiated a sanitary sever and soil gas investigation. Rather than identify all potential sources the RWQCB focused upon the city's sewer system and two dry cleaning operations. When enforcement efforts were delayed to allow the California Dry Cleaning Task Force to study and make recommendations the staff of the regional board turned the investigation results over to the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). • DTSC has without request from the City decided to institute Phase I investigations against Guild Cleaners, Busy Bee Cleaners and the City's sanitary sewer department. The goal of the department is to establish cleanup requirements and impose remedial action costs against the city and its small businesses. Action Being Requested Recognizing that the City of Lodi is familiar with the costs and consequences of groundwater cleanup as a result of the DBCP issues being addressed by the community, it is requested that the City Council adopt a resolution: I 130 n <trcc,, <tiitc 1;', S.tc r.iiiwnI '. ('.III1,'rni.l l; l 4 Fit 1)1 -, , r,;,,; 000., • confirming the fact that no public health emergency exists as a result of PCE and TCE contamination within the groundwater basin, and • requesting the state of California, including the Department of Toxic Substances Control suspend its investigation to allow for the city to work with its business community toward other more efficient and cost effective alternatives. Thank you for your consideration of this most important matter.. Should you require any further information in preparation of your agenda item please do not hesitate to contact me at 916.552.6700. dest regards, Darlene E. Ulz cc: Thomas Peterson, City Manager Jennifer Perrin, City Clerk B McNatt, City Attorney F. Forkas, Department of Public Works J. Alquist Lodi Grodndwater Assessment Fact Sheet No. 1 NOV 0 1 1993 California Environmental Protection Agengti Attoiney'S 0,%Mber 1993 Department of Toxic Substances Control SOIL GAS AND GROUNDWATER SAMPLING TO BEGIN IN NOVEMBER The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DISC) is conducting an investigation into chemical contamination of groundwater in the Lodi area. This fact sheet is to provide you with an overview of the groundwater contamination problem and discuss the planned investigation that is underway. Throughout this fact sheet, words or phrases in italicized type are defined in the Glossary on Page 4. Contamination of the groundwater beneath the City of Lodi by "volatile organic com- pounds" WOO was first detected in 1989. VOCs are a carbon organic compound that evaporates at room temperature. The City of Lodi operates 22 public water supply wells. VOCs were found during sampling of public water supply wells. Subsequent samples were taken by the City to confirm the discovery. As of today, two City drinking water supply wells (C`N3 and CW4, see map on following page) have been found to contain concentrations of the VOCs perchlor oethylene (PCE) and trichloro- ethylene (TCE) above the State Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) and have been taken out of service. VOCs below the MCLs have also been detected in two other wells (CW2 and CW24). PCE is primarily used as a solvent in the dry cleaning industry_ TCE is used as a solvent and degreaser in the metal finishing industry. PCE and TCE have been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals and are suspected human carcinogens. For the two City drinking water supply wells that were closed, the table below shows the range of the VOC concentrations detected and the MCLs for TCE and PCE in parts per billion (ppb): Groundwater Contaminant Concentrations Well Sample Concentration MCLs No. Date CW 3 1989-93 TCE ND' -170 ppb 5 ppb PCE 0.5.260 ppb 5 ppb CW4 1990-93 TCE 55-12 ppb 5 ppb In *ND - Non Detect il The extent of the contamination is not yet known. A preliminary search for possible sources of contamination was conducted during 1989 through 1991 by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). This search identified some potential sources for the PCE contamination but was inconclusive for the TCE contamination. DTSC is the lead agency in the investigation of the VOC contamination. DISC will Printed on Recce Paper October 1993 Page 2 coordinate with all other agencies including the RWQCB, San Joaquin County Health Department, and the City of Lodi during the investigation. I SITE LOCATION MAP The following map illustrates the locations of the public water supply wells in which varying levels of contaminants were detected. I. - PLANNED PVVESTIGATION• DISC and its consultant, URS Inc., is begin- ning phase 1 of a remedial investigation (RI). The RI is to characterize the nature, extent and sources of the contamination and will include the following work: inventory of all wells in the area, sampling of selected wells, sampling of gas in the soil, sampling of groundwater by hydropunch, installation of monitoring wells, sampling of sewer and storm drainage systems, and survey of possible sources. A workplan outlining the steps to be implemented during the phase 1 investigation has been developed and is available at the repository listed on Page 3. The phase 1 investigation is expected to be completed within five (5) months. Upon completion, a report summarizing the results of the investigation will be prepared. The results of the phase 1 investigation will determine if additional samplings are necessary to fully characterize the extent of chemicals in the soil and groundwater. A feasibility study may be prepared to evaluate cleanup alternatives. The feasibility study would be distributed for public review and comment. The cost of this soil and groundwater assessment is approximately $300,000. The state funds utilized for this assessment are derived from fees paid by industries using and disposing of hazardous chemicals. The first phase of the field investigation is expected to begin late October or early November 1993. This phase will involve collecting approximately 75 soil gas and 22 groundwater samples at various locations in downtown Lodi. Drilling will be required to collect soil gas and grounOwater samples. Equipment for soil gas sampling includes a mobile labora- tory and a drilling rig. Equipment for groundwater sampling will include a drill rig on a truck, a forklift truck, and a flatbed truck. Once the work starts, it will take approximately 4 to 5 weeks to complete. Actual time required at each site will be approximately 1 hour for soil gas and 4 hours for groundwater sampling. Upon completion of the drilling operation, holes will be sealed and the ground will be patched to return it io its original forth. PWBLIC PARTICIPATION PROGIiA.M To identify community concerns and to develop recommendations for effective com- munication between the community and involved agencies, staff from DTSC will inter- view a number of representatives from all Printed on Rerycted Pa1w October 1993 interested parties and government officials. Based on information gathered, DTSC will develop a Public Participation Plan (Plan) to address the information needs and concerns of the community. The Plan will also outline the procedures to be used to fulfill the infor- mation needs and concerns of the community and to promote public involvernent during the investigation process. This Plan will :,Iso be available at the information repository for your review. Page 3 An information repository has been estab- lishPsi for all reports, fact sheets, background materials, and other relevant documents about the Lodi groundwater study at: San Joaquin County Library, Lodi Branch 201 W. Locust Street Lodi, CA 95240 (209) 333-8507 Contact: Ms. Behjat Kerdegari FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION If you have any questions concerning the Lodi Groundwater Assessment, please contact: Jean Young, Project Manager Department of Toxic Substances Control 10151 Croydon Way, Suite 3 Sacramento, CA 95827 (916 255-3675 Sue Sher, Public Participation Specialist Department of Toxic Substances Control 10151 Croydon Way, Suite 3 Sacramento, CA 95827 (916) 255-3647 v w.rv.rv.r..i.r.r.r.r.r-r.iv.r.r.r.rw.r.r.r.r.r.r.r.r.rw.r.rw.i-r.r.r.r.rv.r.rw.r.r.r.rvv. rwr.r Y PLEASE KEEP ME INFORMED r If you would like to receitr future information on the Lodi Groundwater Site, please fill out this coupon and return it to: Sue Sher, Deparhnent of Toxic Substances Cant rot, 10I51 Croydon Way, Suite 3, Sacramento, CA 95827. r Name• r r Address• ' v City/State/Zip: M 4 1 r Telephone Nn_: This is a O Co!mction U Addition p Deletion Printed on Recycled Pajxr October 1993 GLOSSAttY groundwater: Underground water that fills pores between particles of soil, sand and gravel or openings in rocks to the point of saturation. Where groundwater occurs in sufficient quantity, it can be used as a source of water supply. parts per billion (ppb): A level of concen- tration expressed as weight per unit of vol- ume. For example, if one drop of pure TCE is mixed in an average size competition swimming pool, the water will contain about one part per billion TCE. State Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs): The concentration of a contami- nant established by the California Department of Health Services and/or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that represents the level of a sulwance in drinking water that may present a health risk when exceeded; also known as "drink- ing water standards". When contaminant levels rise above MCLS, D75C recommends against consuming the water and requests the water supplier to take measures (such as treatment or discontinued use) to reduce contaminant concentrations in the water. volatile organic compound WOO: a car- bon containing compound that evaporates (becomes a gas) readily at room tempera- ture. �'`• California Environmental Protection Agency Department of Toxic Substances Control 10151 Croydon Way, Suite 3 Sacramento, CA 95827 OCT,9'93r'." a� is ,,C747Z IV 5705vn7 MR BOB MCNATT ATTORNEY CITY HALL 221 WEST PINE STREET LODI CA 95240 ATTENTION: Contains important information regarding a groundwater assessment being conducted in the Lodi area. If you are the property owner but not the resident of the property, please forward this information. 11 DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE November 17, 1993 Honorable Mayor Phil Pennino Councilmembers City of Lodi P.O. Box 3006 Lodi, CA 95241 Dear Mayor Pennino and Councilmembers: During the past several weeks various leaders of the Lodi District Chamber of Commerce, along with the Chamber's Government & Transportation Rev-ew Committee (GTRC) have held meetings with Jack Alquist (Guild Cleaners), his attorney Darlene E. Ruiz, city officials and others regarding the issue of contamination of the ground water beneath the City of Lodi by PCE and TCE products associated with cleaning solvents. After these series of meetings, the Lodi District Chamber of Commerce supports the action being requested by Mr. Alquist this evening. The Chamber therefore, requests that the Lodi City Council adopt a resolution confirming the fact that no public health emergency exists as a result of PCE and TCE contamination within the ground water basin and further requests: The State of California including the Department of Toxic Substances Control suspend its investigation to allow for the City of Lodi to work with its business community toward other, more efficient and cost effective alternatives. The Chamber stands prepared to offer its full support and cooperation in resolving this important issue. Sincerely, Jim Verseput, Chairman Government, Transportation & Review Committee 1330 S. HAM LANE 9 PO. BOX 386 • LODI, CA 95241 9 PHONE (209) 367-7840 9 FAX (209) 334-0528 " c.IIc�co