Toxic Water Problem
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Courtesy of the Local History Room, Fullerton Public Library [ULLERTON PUBLIC LIBRARY 353^-eOMMQNWEALTH :RTOn7*X92632| COMMUNITY & ARTS CALENDAR Page 11-14 PERIODICALS APR 0 5 2000 PLEASE RETURN TO MAIN LIBRARY FULLERTON PUBLIC LIBRARY 353 W. COMMONWEALTH AVE. FULLERTON, CA 92832-1796 Fullerton’s Only Local, Independent Newspaper • Est. 1978 (printed on recycled paper) # 338 APRIL 1, 2000 FULLERTON OBSERVER FULLERTON Toxic Water Problem Concerns about a toxic plume emanating from the site of the former Hughes Aircraft Co. and pointed directly into our regional aquifer plus data gaps in the July 1998 self-conducted investigative report presented by Raytheon led California EPA Geologist Will Rowe to request a new monitoring well at the northwest Fullerton site. The new well (MW#16) is located just up-hill represent the from MW# 13, at a critical interface area of the aquifer that runs beneath the property. Rowe and DTSC (Dept, of Toxic Substance Control) project manager highest Ricardo Gonzalez were both present at the site for the November and December concentration 1999 tests taken at the new well. o f 1,1-DCE The sample was split three ways and tested by: 1) the Raytheon on-site lab 2) a certified off-site lab contracted by Raytheon; and 3) the EPA Hazardous that I have Materials Lab in LA. Although both Raytheon results tested below EPA ever seen.” numbers, all results were found to be actionable. Commenting on the results Rowe said Friday, they represent the “highest Will Rowe concentration of 1,1 -DCE that I have ever seen.” Charted at 510 ug/L(micrograms EPA Geologist per litre) in the EPA result; 400 ug/L in the on-site test; and 317 ug/L in the off site certified lab contracted by Raytheon, the contaminant registered well above the acceptable Maximum Contaminant Level of 6 ug/L. In addition, the “We are it 7 test demonstrated that other contaminants from the site including; 1,1-TCA; PCE; and 1,1 DCA have also reached the upper level of our regional aquifer. going to sign “We have to move very carefully because the hazards connected to pumping o ff on any the contaminants out include causing them to mobilize and further contaminate the aquifer,” said Rowe. Results from tests done the following month indicate residential the level of DCE made a dramatic drop to a reading of a still actionable 40 ug/ construction L. What caused the change? Following the tests Prop 65 notices were sent to City and County Health and until we Water Agencies and Departments and a March 9,2000 informational “public” determine meeting was held at Parks Jr. High for residents within a mile of the former whether Hughes site. The agency sent out 1,400 notices of the meeting which many residents recieved only after the meeting had already been held. clean-up is DTSC is still working on the data to determine what remedial actions are achievable. ” necessary or even possible and should have a report ready in the next few months. “DTSC Public Information Officer Otis Jackson indicated the next Otis Jackson steps in the process will include another public meeting in the area. DTSC Addressing community concerns surrounding the LSF II SunCal Cos.’ proposed housing and commercial development of the 270-acre property which they bought from Raytheon in Dec. of 1998, Jackson said, “We aren’t “We have to going to sign off on any residential construction until we determine whether clean-up is achievable.” move very SunCal Cos. is currently battling the neighbors of their “Pacific Point” 400- carefully Violinist Linda Wang Comes To Fullerton (page 14) home subdivision project in San Juan Capistrano in the California Superior Court. The neighbors contend the 1998 landslide that took the backyards of because the their $600,000 homes was caused hazards by the grading work, done by the connected to Hate Crimes Drop In Orange County company at the toe of the slope on which their homes sit. pumping the T h e Orange County Human The number of victims Meanwhile, is it okay to drink contaminants “To some were divided in catego What can an ordinary our city’s water? While that cer Relations Commission out include (OCHRC) released its annual extent we ries also; African Ameri- citizen do about tainly comes down to a desicion report on Hate Crimes in the can-30; Jewish - 25; Gay Hate Crime? each person will make on their causing them have set a & Lesbian-20; Asian own, John Carlson, City Water County of Orange on March 21, to mobilize 2000. The 1999 report indicates higher American-14; Latino-10; Manager said Thursday that the a significant reduction in the Middle Eastern-7; White- • Assist and support hate crime victims • two wells closest to the site are and further community Report hate-related incidents to the OC being carefully monitored and number of Hate Crimes reported. 4; Christian-3; Mormon- contaminate Local law enforcement agencies, standard that 1. Plus 22 cases fell into a Human Relations Commission and the lo have not shown signs of contami cal police »Speak out against acts of hate. • nation in tests conducted as re the OC District Attorney, the discourages category dubbed Multiple the aquifer. ” Anti-Defamation League, vari Victim. Work to prevent hate by building inter cently as February this year. ous community based organiza the fringes of The perpetrator age and group understanding and tolerance. “The City would not hesitate to Will Rowe. EPA tions, and victims of hate pro society to act race were also charted With Tolerance groups working in one- close down the system if it was Geologist vided OCHRC with information placing the responsibility third of Orange County schools, the found to be contaminated,” he about hate incidents and crimes out on their for 3/4 of the crimes on OCHRC is making headway. “I’m pleased said.” In fact in October of 1999 firewell #13 was closed that occurred in 1999. hate.” white males under the age to see the significant reduction of reported due to a 5.6 ug/L reading of PCE Tetrachlorethene, which hate crimes in Orange County for 1999,” “In 1999 there were 136 re Rustv Kennedy of 29. exceeded the MCL of 5.0 ug/L. Firewell #13 is located ported hate crimes and incidents OCHRC “When economic times said Becky Esparza, Chair of the OC near the cross streets of Kimberley and Acacia Avenues down from 169 cases in 1998. are good there aren’t as Human Relations Commission. “ I am sad in southeast Fullerton. Nearby wells #1; #2; and #10 are The Orange County District At many people looking dened there were still numerous victims of also being carefully watched. That area is a point of torneys Report on Hate Crimes hate in the past year. I look forward to the concern due to over 20 years of heavy industrial use, around for people to scapegoat for their problems” stated that in 14 cases charges day when through the combined efforts of according to OCWD Director of Water Quality, Nyra said Rusty Kennedy, OCHRC Executive Director, were filed or prosecuted; in 4 residents, community organizations, and Yamachika. “Because the typical pattern of water move who also credits OC Police Departments and Com cases there was insufficient evi law enforcement, there will be no hate ment is southwest the chemicals found there are not munity groups. dence to prosecute under hate crimes in the County” believed to be related to the Hughes site. Airport well #9, Actual numbers of Hate Crimes are believed to be crime laws, however there was In addition to tracking Hate Crimes the which is located southwest of the former Hughes site is significantly higher than those recorded because sufficient evidence to file other Commission tracks positive programs that in the process of being stepped up,” she said. Drinking many incidents go unreported. Victims are often criminal charges; and 4 cases promote tolerance and understanding be water wells in known problem areas are watched care very traumatized after the incident and fearful that were dropped due to insufficient tween people of all ages and backgrounds. fully and checked as often as monthly. the perpetrator will return and harass them further evidence. OCHRC offers many on-going programs Many questions remain, for instance: Where are tests if they make a report. Some people may also feel Types of 1999 Hate Crimes for students, parents, teachers, agencies taken by anybody between June 1998 - October 1999? that making a report stigmatizes them and/or their fell into five categories: Physi and businesses. (See page 20 for a fun Currently EPA must wait to be “invited” by Raytheon family and that even if reported there would be little cal Assault -41 cases; Vandal family event sponsored by the OCHRC.) before the agency can be present at tests. Even so, records chance of a successful prosecution. Some victims ism -38 cases; Verbal Assault - To find out more contact the Orange County of tests made for that time period plus tests made after may have language or cultural barriers. Some people 25 cases; Hate Literature -21 Human Relations Commission by calling December 1999 seem to be unavailable from any source. may simply distrust government. cases; and Hate Speech -11 (714) 567-7470 The EPA tested the site in November and December of cases. 1999. Why haven’t tests continued especially consider ing the bad news that the plume has invaded the aquifer? If tests have continued, why isn’t the data available to the public? Know Fullerton Read the Observer! (see pp 8 & 9 for more) Fullerton Observer Bulk Rate P.O.Box 7051 Subscribe.