SITE INFORMATION AND CORRESPONDENCE

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CLEANUP AND ABATEMENTOER NO. • 2 DELICATO VINEYARDS WASTEWATER DISPOSAL SITE SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY DRAFT Soil and Groundwater Conditions 7. Site topography is flat and level. The site is underlain by alluvial fan deposits consisting of poorly sorted clay, silt, sand, and gravel. 8. The first encountered groundwater below the site ranges from approximately 30 to 40 feet below ground surface. Groundwater flow direction is generally to the north, with an average gradient of 0.002 ft/ft. 9. Three groundwater monitoring wells (MW-1, MW-2, and MW-3) were constructed during the spring of 2001. MW-1 is south of both disposal areas and is considered to be representative of background conditions. MW-2 is immediately north of the southwest check and MW-3 is immediately north-of the northeast check. MW-2 and MW-3 are considered to be hydraulically downgradient of the process water disposal areas. 10. The groundwater monitoring data indicate that concentrations of dissolved solids often associated with winery wastewater are elevated in the two downgradient monitoring wells, as compared to concentrations in the background monitoring well. The average electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, calcium, sodium,magnesium, alkalinity, chloride, and sulfide concentrations in the downgradient wells range from two to six times higher than in the background well. Enforcement History 11. On 15 September 2003, Regional Board staff issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to the Discharger for violation of the Groundwater Limitations contained in WDRs Order No. 96-077. The NOV requested the preparation and submittal of a Groundwater Degradation Evaluation Report to confirm whether or not the discharge is degrading the underlying groundwater. 12. On 29 December 2003, the Discharger submitted a report titled Report: Groundwater Degradation Evaluation Delicato Vineyards. The report concluded that the wine processing combined with waste application practices are contributing to the degradation of groundwater quality in the vicinity of the waste application areas. The report also indicated that the Discharger was assessing its process chemical usage and attempting to reduce the use of chemicals that were impacting groundwater quality. 13. Regional Board staff have completed a review of this report and concur with the report conclusions. A C&A Order is appropriate to ensure that the Discharger takes appropriate actions in a timely manner to prevent further groundwater degradation. Regulatory Considerations 14. As a result of the events and activities described in this Order, the Discharger has caused or permitted waste to be discharged in such a manner that it has created, and continues to threaten to create, a condition of pollution or nuisance and potential public health threat. 15. Surface water discharge is to the San Joaquin River via Lone Tree Creek. The beneficial uses of the San Joaquin River are municipal and domestic supply; agricultural supply; industrial process