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Kenneth D. Landau -2- 5 June 1987 3. At the 817 surface impoundment, high explosives (HE) have been noted in the upgradient well (817-1) since the beginning of sampling one and one-half years ago, and in the last quarter the concentration increased by 50 percent. Several metals also have been found in that well , including arsenic, barium, selenium, mercury, chromium, copper, and zinc, some above drinking water standards (the February report calls these "suggested" drinking water standards, which is not correct). Some of these metals also have been detected in downgradient wells at 817. The February report stated wells 80676A and 819 would be added to the 817 sampling network, but this was not done. A study is needed of the occurrence of HE and metals in 817 wells, including the source and extent of contamination. A time schedule for such a study was requested by letter dated 29 December 1986 but was never submitted. 4. At the Pit 7 complex, TCE has been found in several wells for more than a year and its occurrence has now been confirmed by sampling additional wells in the first quarter of 1987. OCE and several other chlorinated hydrocarbons also were detected in the latest sampling round. One well contains TCE above the action level of 5 ppb. The February report states that the most likely source for these contaminants is the inactive Pit 5 and that the "TCE has not moved very far from the pit." However, this latter statement is not corroborated by any evidence. A specific plan is needed to define the extent of TCE and other chlorinated hydrocarbon contamination at the Pit 7 complex. 5. At Pit 1, several metals have been detected including arsenic, chromium, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel , and selenium. In the first quarter of 1987, chromium and lead concentrations were near their respective drinking water standards in one well. The occurrence of metals in ground water at Pit I should be tracked closely in the next few quarters to o determine trends. These constituents may be the subject of the ground water quality assessment program if a corrected statistical analysis shows significant increases in indicator parameters. . 6. Various metals have been detected at Pit 6 wells, including -arsenic, iron, manganese, mercury, cadmium, nickel, and selenium. Both reports refer to on-going pump testing at Pit 6 which is supposed to better define aquifer flow and characteristics. A first draft of the report on 'this study was under internal review on 15 May 1987 and was scheduled to be submitted by 30 May 1987. The February report also stated that Wells BC6-10 and BC6-11 would be added to the Pit 6 sampling network, but this was not done. 7. Both reports account for many of the detected constituents at all four sites as "lab artifacts" or "sampling errors." These are not appropriate explanations for so many different parameters in different locations. If these explanations are correct, LLNL should institute better sampling and laboratory practices and seriously consider where the problems lie.