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CLEANUP AND ABATEMENT ORDER -2- GOEHRING MEAT, INC. NEWCO ACQUISITION SUB, INC. GOLDEN GATE FRESH FOODS, INC. dba VICTOR FINE FOODS SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY to three unlined percolation ponds since about 1962. As a result, wastewater with elevated levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) , percolated into the ground water and polluted local agricultural and domestic water supplies. 10. In 1962, the Discharger began discharging brine wastes to 6 unlined fingerponds with a surface area of 1.5 acres. In 1978, the dividing berm between the finger ponds was removed and the ponds were converted into a single pond, now referred to as Pond 1. Later Pond 1 was retrofitted with synthetic and clay liners. Pond 1 , which is operated as an emergency equalization and storage basin and referred to as the EESB, is regulated as a Class II surface impoundment under California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Division 3, Chapter 15 (Chapter 15). Proper closure of Pond 1 and removal of wastes are necessary to protect ground water. 11. In 1982, the Discharger constructed and began discharging brine wastes to a 6.7 acre pond (Pond 2) in the northeast corner of the property. This pond has never been lined and may have leaked substantial quantities of brine wastes to ground water. The pond was dewatered in the fall of 1991; however, highly saline soils lie immediately beneath the pond bottom. Rainfall will mobilize the saline wastes and allow them to move downward to ground water. 12. In 1985, the Discharger constructed a 0.7 acre emergency pond (Pond 3) south of Clarksdale Road adjacent to the vineyards and a half mile north of the Mokelumne River on Assessor's Parcel No. 017- 090-046. Process wastewater and surface runoff with a TDS level of at least 2000 mg/l were discharged to Pond 3 through an 8-inch pipeline. 13. Ground water monitoring data from wells downgradient from Pond 3 indicated the TDS level was less than 350 mg/l prior to discharge. Recent monitoring data from the wells downgradient from Pond 3 show an increase in TDS levels in these wells up to 840 mg/l . Although investigation and corrective action measures have been focused on the plume downgradient of Pond 2, the Discharger has not taken any action to properly close Pond 3 and determine the extent of impacts on ground water from past discharges. 14. The Discharger has polluted ground water due to the discharge practices described in Finding Nos. 9-12. Impacts on ground water have been detected at least one-half mile to the north of the facility and 175 feet below ground surface in the upper water bearing zones. To date, 10 domestic water supply wells and 2 agricultural wells have been replaced because the ground water was polluted with TDS and chlorides. Verification monitoring has been ongoing since