EPA Proposes Plan for Groundwater Cleanup at San Fernando Valley Superfund Site

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a proposed plan to address a contaminated groundwater plume at the San Fernando Valley (Area 2) Superfund site, located near the city of Glendale. The agency is seeking public input on the plan and will consider all comments before selecting a final cleanup plan.

“EPA encourages the community to learn about our proposed Area 2 cleanup plan and share their perspectives,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Region Superfund and Emergency Management Director Michael Montgomery. “This proposal is an important step forward to protect groundwater and ensure safe drinking water for communities in the San Fernando Valley.”

Area 2 is one of four Superfund sites in the San Fernando Valley, covering approximately 6,680 acres. Groundwater in the area has been contaminated with hazardous chemicals from former aerospace and other industrial activities. Since 2000, EPA’s groundwater treatment system has made more than 58 billion gallons of groundwater safe for drinking and all water currently served to the public meets state and federal health and safety standards.

The EPA’s proposed plan includes:

– Increasing the volume of groundwater pumped by existing extraction wells;

– Installing a new groundwater well at the southern wellfield;

– Adding an activated carbon treatment unit to improve operational reliability;

– Reducing maintenance demands; and

– Upgrading the chromium treatment unit.

These actions will strengthen the existing cleanup that contains the groundwater plume beneath Glendale and reduce overall contamination levels.

The 30-day public comment period for the proposed plan began March 16 and will run through April 14. The EPA hosted an in-person public meeting earlier this week, and will offer a virtual public meeting via Zoom to discuss the plan on Wednesday, April 1, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

To register for the virtual online meeting on April 1 and review the proposed plan, visit the San Fernando Valley Area 2 Superfund site webpage at: www.epa.gov/superfund/sanfernandoglendale.