FIELD DOCUMENTS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

GeOlDgwaCTechnks 2nc. Page 3 Hunter Container Report-Soil and Groundwater Investigation Project No.397.2 October 25, 1996 The source of the petroleum hydrocarbons found in the septic tank is not clearly understood. On October 21, 1996, Ray Kablanow of GTT met with George Yamasita, Ray Morris, and Doug Farris of US Can to discuss the operation of the facility and to evaluate possible sources for these chemicals. An audit evaluation inspection of the new US Can facility shows that they run a very clean operation and take precaution to ensure adequate compliance with environmental regulations. Three possible sources of these chemicals were identified: 1) Construction workers may have disposed of these chemicals during final phases of the facility construction. 2) Mop water disposed of in the sewer from a complete factory floor mopping event that occurred about two weeks ago. The mop water probably carried solvents, thinners, oil, standard sweep (an adsorbent) and minute particulate metal.fragments from around the cutting machines and from the machine shop. 3) Hand washing with cleaners by factory workers. This is not believed to be a significant volume input and probably only accounts for 100 to 200 gallons per day. In the event the construction workers disposed of petroleum waste in the septic system, then it was a one time event and is not re-occurring. And if the mop water is the cause, that also was a one time event because US Can has decided to containerize the mop water and not dispose of it in the sewer. Hand washing is not considered to be a significant source. Drinking Water Well A sample from the drinking water well was tested for inorganic compounds, total Coliform f bacteria,metals, and organic chemicals. The results show that the drinking water supply is in compliance with state regulations. Conclusions Information gathered during the Phase I ESA, interviews with plant managers and supervisors and a facility audit inspection performed on October 21, 1996 showed that US Can operates their facility in an environmentally sensitive manner and take proactive steps to mitigate any potential concerns. The environmental issues discovered by ERM and partly addressed by WHF have addressed all the concerns previously caused by Hunter Container except for the TCE issue. Given the spatial relationship, the elevated concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons, including gasoline, diesel, and motor oil in the soil near the petroleum pipeline, and the low concentrations of TCE, and the presents of petroleum hydrocarbons in the groundwater, the following conclusions are drawn: 1. There are two separate plumes that have some degree of overlap. A TCE plume caused by a surface release of cleaning solutions years ago by Hunter Container. A petroleum hydrocarbon plume sourced from one or both of the two petroleum pipeline located approximately 34 feet northeast of the Hunter Container building and owned by Southern Pacific Pipeline Company and Chevron Pipeline Company. 2. The TCE found at low concentrations in the shallow subsurface soils are insignificant compared to the high concentrations of the petroleum hydrocarbons 3. The petroleum hydrocarbons found in the deeper subsurface soils and groundwater are of potentially significant environmental concern.