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I. INTRODUCTION This report issues our findings regarding the Nitrate Loading and Soil Suitability Studies for two parcels owned by Central Valley Construction, Inc., which are referenced as APN 191-230-07 and APN 191-230-08. These studies were required by the San Joaquin County Department of Environmental Health(EHD) under Community Development Title Chapter 9-1105.2 (d)1-5 before the General Plan Amendment and Zone Reclassification. The Environmental Health Department requires Nitrate Loading and Soil Suitability Studies for projects in unsewered and currently nitrate affected areas, or for projects that may potentially impact the underlying groundwater with nitrate. This report complies with the San Joaquin County Development Title, Section 9-1105.2 for a Nitrate Loading Study and Soil Suitability Study. Additionally, the subject properties must comply with the Environmental Health Department Sewage Standards, specifically Section 10 - "Requirements for Waste Disposal for New Land Developments." The primary concern of nitrate in drinking water is that high concentrations can cause methemoglobinemia in infants and it can also induce abortion or death in cattle. This disease occurs through a series of complex chemical reactions within the hemoglobin in the blood. Only infants and young children are susceptible. Although this disease is extremely rare, nitrate can also potentially cause other health concerns. Scientific studies suggest that nitrate may produce carcinogenic effects in humans. Nitrate concentrations in water can be expressed two ways: 1.) As the weight of the nitrate molecule, which is one atom of nitrogen and three atoms of oxygen for an atomic weight of 62 units. Or, 2.)Nitrate can be expressed as the amount of the nitrogen atom itself. The ratio of weight of the nitrate molecule (NO3)to the atom (N)is 62/14 or approximately 4.5. The U.S.E.P.A. has established the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of nitrate in drinking water at 45 mg/1 as nitrate. Due to the ratio described above, the MCL is sometimes reported as 10 mg/1 as nitrate-nitrogen. Mr. Philip Vallejo is President and Mr. Tony Amaiz is a Partner of Central Valley Construction, Inc. They have provided the preliminary information to complete these studies. The attached Site Plan Map was completed by Quartaroli & Associates, Inc. of Manteca, California. The project site is located south of Klo Road and west of Manthey Road, near the southwest corner of this intersection. The purpose of these Studies was threefold: ❑ To analyze and investigate the capacity of the indigenous soils to accept commercial wastewater flows, assess the soil characteristics for nitrate impact potential, and analyze mitigation possibilities. This was accomplished through percolation testing, and physical/chemical analyses of the on-site soils. ❑ To analyze the underlying water table, shallow groundwater and groundwater from deeper aquifers to quantify nitrate impact, and to test for indigenous arsenic concentrations and for the presence of Trichloroethylene (TCE)that may have originated from the Sharpes Army Depot, east of the subject properties. 1 Chesney Consultittg