SITE INFORMATION AND CORRESPONDENCE

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cleaning process are distillation sludge, used filter cartridges, and condensation wastewater (condensate). The distillation sludge is stored in a 20-gallon drum. The condensate is collected through a hose in a 5-gallon bucket and stored in a 15-gallon drum. Used filter cartridges are stored in a 55-gallon drum. Three filter cartridges are used for every 3,500 pounds of clothes cleaned. The stored drums are collected every six weeks by Technichem, Inc., a licensed hazardous waste handler. (10,11) 2.4 Regulatory Involvement 2.4.1 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Busy Bee is listed in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act database dated December 15, 1992 as a small quantity generator (12). A Preliminary Assessment of the site was conducted in April 1991 by Ecology and Environment, Inc. for the EPA (3). 2.4.2 California Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), Central Valley Region. The RWQCB is actively involved in the investigation of PCE contamination in the groundwater in the City of Lodi. Upon notification by the City of Lodi, the RWQCB staff inspected the Busy Bee facility in August 1989 (4). The RWQCB collected samples of cooling water and condensation water during the site visit. The RWQCB also collected samples of cooling water, condensation water,rinse water, and separator water in August and September 1990 (5). To identify the sources contributing to the groundwater contamination, the RWQCB conducted extensive soil gas and sewer line samplings in September and December 1989. As a result of their investigations, a"hot spot" of PCE contamination was detected in the subsurface soil around the site. (13) In June 1990, the RWQCB requested a work plan from Busy Bee to conduct site-specific investigations and to confirm whether soil and groundwater contamination was present at the site (7). In accordance with the work plan, L&S conducted additional subsurface investigations of soil and groundwater samplings in February 1991. The investigations revealed soil and groundwater contamination around the site. However, the investigations did not conclusively prove that Busy Bee was the source. (8) Upon review of the investigations conducted and the results obtained, the RWQCB requested additional investigations including the installation of three monitoring wells in July 1991 (5). Busy Bee requested an extension of the deadline for submitting the work plan and was granted an extension until December 1991, for its final submittal (14). During 1991 the RWQCB also conducted investigations at sites around Busy Bee that were considered potential sources of groundwater contamination. The agency concluded that these sites did not contribute to the groundwater contamination (15). The RWQCB has lacked the appropriate funding to pursue the matter since December 1991, and is still awaiting the submittal of the L&S work plan (16). 2.4.3 The City of Lodi,Department of Public Works. To comply with the EPA's regulations, the City of Lodi is required to test groundwater wells for contamination levels every three years (2). The City of Lodi detected PCE at a concentration level above the maximum contamination level of 5 ppb in a municipal drinking water well (Well 3) in June 1989. Well 3 was subsequently put out of service in July 1989 (17). Additionally, concentrations of trichloroethene (TCE) exceeding the maximum contamination level were detected in Well 4. Well 4 was put out of service in May 1990 (18). The City of Lodi notified the RWQCB about the groundwater contamination. At the request of the RWQCB, the City of Lodi conducted a video survey on two occasions to check the integrity of the sewer lines. Although no cracks were observed in the sewer SI Busy Bee Laundry and Cleaning-0(F)• 1/93 5" Printed on 50%recycled paper. �O�