February 14, 2012 AGENDA ITEM CITY OF GLENDALE ...

February 14, 2012

AGENDA ITEM

CITY OF GLENDALE CALIFORNIA REP 0 R T TO THE CIT Y C 0 U N C I L

EPA Investigation of Chromium Contamination in Ground Water San Fernando Valley Area 2 (Glendale) Superfund Site

1. EPA investigation of chromium contamination in ground water San Fernando Valley Area 2 (Glendale) Superfund Site

COUNCtL ACTION

Public Hearing ( I Ordinance ( Consent Calendar ( I Action Item (XI Report Only (

Approved for C211~1 ,;:L calendar

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTtON

Submitted _~~~~~~ ______ __ Glenn O. Steiger, General Manager - GWP ......... ......... .... .... .... .

Prepared Peter Kavounas, Assistant General Manager - Water ................. -!-=-D.~~~~2;;::::---

APp;~~t~~choa, City Manager ................................................... ~ s1S1(ycZf:;

Rev~~h:~1 J. Garcia, City Attorney ............................................... d4/~~

RECOMMENDATION

(NfA)

SUMMARY

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began an investigation of hexavalent chromium contamination in ground water in a portion of the San Fernando Valley Area 2 Superfund Site called the Glendale Chromium Operable Unit (GCOU). The investigation will include an evaluation of potential threats to human health and the environment posed by the contamination in ground water.

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FISCAL IMPACT

(N/A)

BACKGROUND

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began an investigation of hexavalent chromium contamination in ground water in a portion of the San Fernando Valley Area 2 Superfund Site called the Glendale Chromium Operable Unit (GCOU). Exhibit A illustrates the area of investigation. The investigation will include an evaluation of the potential threats to human health and the environment posed by the contamination in ground water, which is a key step in determining the appropriate cleanup remedy for the contamination. In addition, EPA is working with the State of California to investigate and clean up the sources of chromium contamination.

EPA established the GCOU in 2007 after a study conducted by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region (LARWQC8) revealed extensive hexavalent chromium contamination in ground water throughout eastern San Fernando Valley and many potential sources of contamination. Hexavalent chromium is used in metal alloys, such as stainless steel; protective coatings on magnetic tapes; and pigments for paints, cement, rubber and other materials.

A cleanup remedy to remove contamination in ground water from chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the Glendale Operable Unit of the San Fernando Valley Superfund Site has been operating and providing clean drinking water to the City of Glendale since 2000. However, the remedy does not address hexavalent chromium contamination. EPA, along with Glendale Water and Power (GWP) and the Glendale Respondents Group, will work to ensure that water produced by the existing treatment plant in Glendale continues to meet all state and federal drinking water standards as well as the City of Glendale's drinking water goals for hexavalent chromium; and to ensure the continued beneficial use of Glendale's ground water.

As part of the GCOU investigation, EPA and a group of four parties - the GCOU Respondents - will install up to 30 ground water monitoring wells within and near Glendale. The monitoring wells will allow for collection of ground water samples to measure contaminant levels. The initial field work is set to begin in February and is scheduled for completion by May 2012. A second phase of field work may occur later this year. The well installation process at each location will take approximately three to five days. Crews will generally work between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EPA and the GCOU Respondents will distribute flyers to notify residents and businesses within the vicinity of each well location just prior to the start of field work.

After the well installation, EPA will collect samples of groundwater from the new wells every three months starting in late Spring 2012 for a period of at least two years. EPA plans to publish the results of its evaluation in a remedial investigation report planned for release in Fall 2013, followed by an evaluation of potential cleanup options in 2014, and selection of a cleanup remedy by 2015.

EPA will host an open house in March to explain the investigation and field work, answer questions, and distribute an informational fact sheet to its mailing list.

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The following personnel can be contacted in reference to the EPA investigation and to be added to the site mailing list

Lisa Hanusiak, EPA Remedial Project Manager (415) 972-3152 [email protected]

Jackie Lane, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator (415) 972-3236 [email protected]

EXHIBIT(S)

Exhibit A: Glendale Chromium Operable Unit Investigation - Proposed Well Locations

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MOnON

Moved by Council Member

seconded by Council Member _ _ ___ ___________ " that the Council of

the City of Glendale notes and files the Report dated February 14, 2012 and submitted by the

General Manager of the G lendale Water and Power Department (GWP) relating to the EPA

Investigation of Chromium Contamination in Ground Water San Fernando Valley Area 2

(Glendale) Superfund Site.

Vote as follows:

Ayes:

Noes:

Absent:

Abstain:

APPROVjlD AS TO FORM

V~ Assistant City Attorney

DATE ~J7'i-1 "'-,r?),...../ ..... CX,~ I

:J:Fi1cNcl copy\Dorinc\CounLil\molion to nOle and file Report rc EPA Investigation of Chromium Contaminat ion

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1 1

San Fernando Valley Area 2 Superfund Site

Glendale Chromium Operable Unit Remedial Investigation

Presented to Glendale City Council by

Lisa Hanusiak United States Environmental Protection Agency

February 28, 2012

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Background

Upcoming Investigation Field Work

Overall Project Milestones and Schedule

Topic Overview

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San Fernando Valley Superfund Sites

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1984 San Fernando Valley (SFV) Superfund Sites established due to contamination from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ground water.

2000 Start up of pump and treat remedy to clean up VOCs in ground water at the SFV Area 2 Superfund Site.

2007 Glendale Chromium Operable Unit (GCOU) established

• hexavalent chromium contamination in ground water throughout eastern San Fernando Valley

• many potential sources of contamination

• impact of chromium contamination on pump and treat remedy

Background

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Hexavalent Chromium

Common uses

• Metal alloys, such as stainless steel

• Protective coatings on magnetic tapes and metal surfaces

• Pigments for paints, cement, rubber and other materials

Health concerns

• Known to cause cancer when inhaled

• Potential health effects from ingestion have been identified and continue to be evaluated

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Hexavalent Chromium (Cont.)

Regulation

• No federal or state maximum contaminant level established

• State adopted a public health goal in 2011

• Cities of Glendale, Burbank and Los Angeles adopted voluntary drinking water goals

• Drinking water meets goals adopted by Glendale, Burbank and Los Angeles

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Remedial Investigation Field Work

EPA to perform most of work

GCOU Respondents to perform a portion of work with EPA oversight

Drilling and construction of up to 30 monitoring wells in Spring and Summer 2012 • Up to 9 wells in the City of Glendale

• Duration − 2 to 5 days per well;

• Work hours − about 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• Outreach − fact sheet and flyers to inform residents and businesses of upcoming construction; open house planned

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Planned Well Locations

City of Los Angeles

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Typical Drilling Rig

Use of a smaller drill rig than shown likely at many locations

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Remedial Investigation Field Program (Cont.)

Collection of ground water samples from monitoring wells

• Purpose ─ Measure contamination levels in ground water

• Schedule ─ Quarterly sampling to begin in April 2012

• Duration per each quarter ─ About 1 week total; 2 hours at each well

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Remedial Investigation Field Program (Cont.)

Collection of soil borings • Purpose ─ Collect information about movement of

hexavalent chromium

• 5 borings ─ all in Phase 1; 1 to 2 days per location

Aquifer testing • Purpose ─ Collect information about ground water flow

rates

• Pumping tests at 5 to 10 new monitoring wells

• 1 to 2 days per location

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Safety Measures During Field Work

Safety markers and health-and-safety trained personnel during operations.

Traffic markers and signs to re-route traffic around drilling operation, possibly closing a lane.

EPA, in cooperation local agencies, will work to minimize equipment noise and traffic disruption.

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Project Milestones Glendale Chromium Operable Unit

Remedial investigation − about 18 months • Community open house and fact sheet ─ March/April 2012

• Field work ─ Spring and Summer 2012

• Data evaluation/risk assessments ─ Fall 2012 to Spring 2013

• Remedial investigation report ─ Fall 2013

Evaluation of cleanup options ─ 2014

Public comment period on cleanup alternatives ─ 2015

Selection of cleanup remedy ─ 2015

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Contact Information

Lisa Hanusiak Jackie Lane EPA Project Manager EPA Community 415-972-3152 Involvement Coordinator [email protected] 415-972-3236

[email protected]

Contact us to get on the site mailing list.

For site information, visit www.epa.gov/region09/SanFernandoGlendale

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Planned Well Locations

City of Los Angeles