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INTRODUCTION <br /> Quality Assured Packing, Inc. (QAP) has been processing and canning tomatoes <br /> since 1985 at a plant northeast of Stockton. Wastewater has been disposed of <br /> by treating, screening and separation methods before using it to surface <br /> irrigate fields near the plant. Initially, the plant processed tomatoes <br /> exclusively. In order to accommodate local apricot producers and extend the <br /> annual plant operation schedule, apricot processing was initiated in 1988. <br /> Apricots were processed from mid-June to mid-July, effectively extending the <br /> plant operation schedule one month. <br /> QAP has made a concerted effort to maintain and improve its wastewater disposal <br /> system since canning commenced in the 1985 season. Nevertheless, the land <br /> disposal of wastewater at the plant has been the subject of complaints from <br /> neighbors concerned with odors. A technical report and operating plan prepared <br /> by Nolte and Associates addressed the odor problem. The technical report was <br /> submitted to the Regional Board on September 16, 1988. y <br /> The California Regional Water Quality Control Board Order No. , 88-094 <br /> stipulates that QAP will provide an analysis of the potential for groundwater <br /> impacts due to the elevated total dissolved solids content of its wastewater. <br /> In addition, the Regional Board's Cease and Desist Order No. 88-152 <br /> specifically requested that the issue of groundwater impacts of wastewater <br /> disposal be addressed. This report will cover the geohydrology and land use <br /> in the vicinity of QAP. A site specific section view of the aquifer system <br /> directly below the plant is presented based on boring logs and water quality <br /> data. In the context of the overall site geohydrology, the impacts of <br /> wastewater disposal on groundwater quality are assessed. <br /> BACKGROUND <br /> General <br /> QAP is located on North Bozzano Road at the northeast edge of Stockton as shown <br /> in Figure 1. The QAP plant site and the land presently irrigated by plant <br /> wastewater have been used for irrigated agriculture since early in this century <br /> (1) . Field crops such as sugar beets, kidney beans, wheat, tomatoes and field <br /> corn have predominated in the last twenty to thirty years. Truck crops have <br /> been grown historically. Since most of the land surrounding QAP is in small <br /> parcels it is possible that a local trend toward truck crops for the fresh <br /> vegetable market could result in a return of truck crop production to the <br /> area. Orchard crops are also common. Presently a portion of the area <br /> irrigated by wastewater from QAP is in walnuts. <br /> 1-1 <br /> RP033-L <br />