Pacific Southwest, Region 9: Superfund
Serving Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands, and Tribal Nations
B.F. Goodrich
EPA #: CAN000905945
State: California(CA)
County: San Bernardino
City: Rialto, CA
Congressional District: 43
Other Names: Rialto-Colton
Bulletin Board
On September 30, 2010, EPA adopted a plan (a "Record of Decision" or ROD) to begin cleanup of contaminated groundwater at the Site.
- Click on this link to view the ROD
The plan includes detailed responses to the comments EPA received on its January 2010 proposed cleanup plan.
- Click on this link to view the plan.
Links
Santa Ana Water Board: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/santaana/
State Water Resources Control Board: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/public_notices/petitions/water_quality/a1824rialto.shtml
On this page
Description and History
NPL Listing History
NPL Status: Final
Proposed Date: 09/03/08
Final Date: 09/23/09
Deleted Date:
The B.F. Goodrich Site includes a 160-Acre Area in Rialto, California where volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and perchlorate have contaminated soil and groundwater. The Site also includes areas of groundwater contamination downgradient of the 160-Acre Area. The 160-Acre Area is bounded by West Casa Grande Drive on the north, Locust Avenue on the east, Alder Avenue on the west, and an extension of Summit Avenue on the south.
Most or all of the Site is located in the Rialto-Colton Groundwater Basin in western San Bernardino County, California. The Basin is an important source of drinking water to residents and businesses in the cities of Rialto, Colton, and Fontana.
The 160-Acre Area was part of a larger area acquired by the United States Army in 1942 to develop an inspection, consolidation, and storage facility for rail cars transporting ordnance to the Port of Los Angeles. Since the United States sold the Rialto property in 1946, a portion of the property has been used by defense contractors, fireworks manufacturers, and other businesses that used perchlorate salts and/or solvents in their manufacturing processes or products. In 1956 and 1957, West Coast Loading Corporation manufactured and tested two products, photoflash flares and "ground-burst simulators," containing potassium perchlorate. From about 1957 to 1962, B.F. Goodrich Corporation conducted research, development, testing, and production of solid-fuel rocket propellant containing ammonium perchlorate, and used solvents in the manufacturing process. Since the 1960s, the 160-Acre Area has been used by a number of companies that manufactured or sold pyrotechnics, including Pyrotronics, Pyro Spectaculars, and American Promotional Events.
Who is Involved
In 2002, the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board) began actively working with Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) and property owners to investigate soil and groundwater contamination at the Site and in surrounding areas. EPA began assisting the Water Board in 2002, providing technical, enforcement, and financial assistance including searches of historical records; interviews of former employees of suspected perchlorate users; issuing an administrative order to two PRPs to complete soil and groundwater testing in 2003, completing soil and groundwater testing that the PRPs refused to complete; computer modeling to evaluate the fate of a perchlorate spill; and the award of approximately $1.3M in grants to the water purveyors.
In 2008, after the Water Board's efforts were stalled by legal challenges, EPA increased its efforts at the Site (as described below). In September 2009, EPA added the Site to the Superfund National Priorities List.
Site Studies
As summarized below, between 2003 and 2011, numerous investigations have been conducted to determine the extent of soil and groundwater contamination at the Site. The studies have included the collection and analysis of soil samples, the collection and analysis of soil gas samples, the installation of groundwater monitoring wells, and/or the collection and analysis of groundwater samples. The studies were overseen by the Water Board, EPA, and the California Department of Toxic Substances. See the Santa Ana Water Board's website for more information on studies overseen by the Water Board.
Recent investigations, carried out by EPA between 2008 and 2011, include the installation of a network of six 900-foot deep groundwater monitoring wells (see Well Location Map in the "Technical Documents" section below), annual testing of existing groundwater wells, and soil and soil gas testing at a disposal pit used by the B.F. Goodrich Corporation in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The PRPs had refused or claimed they were unable to complete these sampling efforts. EPA also oversaw soil testing completed by Emhart Industries in accordance with a March 2009 agreement with EPA, at locations where West Coast Loading Corp. operated in the 1950s.
Data from these investigation efforts have been used to develop an initial groundwater cleanup plan and will be used to help develop a comprehensive remedy for the Site.
| Summary of Past Testing - B.F. Goodrich Site | |||
| Sample Collection Date(s) | Report Date | Consultant | Summary of Testing |
| March 2003 | Apr. 11, 2003 | PES Environmental, Inc. | Analysis of approximately thirty (30) soil samples to a maximum depth of 8' below ground surface (bgs) in areas used by American Promotional Events - West, Inc. (APE). All samples were analyzed for perchlorate and two (2) samples were analyzed for VOCs. |
| November 2003 | Dec. 15, 2003 | Kleinfelder, Inc. | Analysis of approximately nine (9) soil samples from (3) three trenches to a maximum depth of 10' bgs, and approximately six (6) soil samples from a boring to a maximum depth of 50' bgs, in areas used by Pyro Spectaculars. All samples were analyzed for perchlorate and VOCs. |
| December 2003 | Jan. 6, 2004 | PES Environmental, Inc. | Analysis of approximately eight (8) soil samples to a maximum depth of 8' bgs in an area used by APE, to further evaluate contaminated soil detected in Mar 2003 investigation. |
| March 2004 | Apr. 20, 2004 | Locus Technologies | Analysis of approximately forty-six (46) soil samples from eleven (11) locations, to a maximum depth of 15' bgs, in areas owned by Wong Chung Ming. All samples were analyzed for perchlorate and twenty-two (22) samples were analyzed for VOCs. |
| May - August 2004 | Mar. 24, 2005 (available in the "Technical Documents" section below) | GeoSyntec Consultants | Analysis of approximately twelve (12) soil samples at eight (8) locations, and one hundred and one (101) soil gas samples at sixty-one (61) locations, to a maximum depth of 12' bgs in areas associated with former B.F. Goodrich operations. All soil and groundwater samples analyzed for perchlorate, VOCs, metals, NDMA, 1,4-dioxane, RDX, and selected anions. Installation and sampling of eighteen (18) temporary wells, installation and initial sampling of four (4) permanent groundwater monitoring wells (PW1-PW4), and installation of three (3) piezometers (PW2A - PW4A). |
| September 2004 | Feb. 10, 2005 | Environ International Corp. | Analysis of approximately twenty-three (23) soil samples from twelve (12) locations, and ninety-six (96) soil gas samples from forty-seven (47) locations, to a maximum depth of 12' bgs in areas associated with West Coast Loading Corp. Soil samples analyzed for perchlorate, VOCs, metals, NDMA, 1,4-dioxane, RDX, and other anions. |
| December 2004 - January 2005 | Apr. 15, 2005 | Kleinfelder, Inc. | Analysis of approximately eleven (11) soil samples. Five (5) samples from trenches to a maximum depth of 5' bgs. Six (6) samples from two borings through the bottom of the former "McLaughlin Pit" to a maximum depth of 20' bgs. All soil samples analyzed for perchlorate. One composited sample was analyzed for VOCs. |
| May 2005 | Jan. 27, 2006 | Blasland, Bouck & Lee, Inc | Analysis of approximately fifty-one (51) soil samples from twenty-two (22) locations at depths of 5' or 10' bgs for perchlorate in the area where a buried pyrotechnic round was discovered in September 2003. Most samples also analyzed for VOCs, SVOCs, metals, PCBs, and explosives. Analysis of approximately forty (40) soil gas samples. |
| March 2006 - February 2007 | Sept. 2008 (available in the "Technical Documents" section below) | Environ International Corp. and Adverus | Analysis of approximately three hundred and fifty-five (355) soil samples and one hundred and twenty-four (124) soil gas samples, in twenty-eight (28) study areas that may have been associated with West Coast Loading Corp activities, and additional areas associated with other operations on the 160 Acre Area. Soil samples were collected to a maximum depth of 25' bgs, except in Study Areas 18, 28, 41 and 46, where deeper sampling occurred.
|
| April 2006 | June 23, 2006 | Kleinfelder, Inc. | Analysis of approximately twenty-three (23) soil samples, from either a trench or potholes in the area where a buried pyrotechnic round was discovered, to a maximum depth of 8' bgs, and approximately eight (8) samples from stockpiled or excavated soils. Some samples also analyzed for metals. |
| April - July 2006 | Oct. 21, 2006 (available in the "Technical Documents" section below) | GeoSyntec Consultants | Installation and initial sampling of five (5) groundwater monitoring wells downgradient of the 160 acre area (PW5 through PW9). |
| April - June 2007 | July 27, 2007 | Kleinfelder, Inc. | Analysis of approximately forty-one (41) soil samples from approximately forteen (14) locations at depths of up to 52' bgs for perchlorate in the area where a buried pyrotechnic round was discovered. Some samples also analyzed for metals. |
| May 2008 | Sept. 4, 2008 | Kleinfelder, Inc. | Analysis of approximately nine soil samples from three borings at depths of up to 16.5' bgs for perchlorate, and approximately twenty (20) soil samples from one deep boring at depths of up to 200' bgs for perchlorate. |
| January 2008 | Mar 5, 2008 (summary table available in the "Technical Documents" section below) | CH2M Hill | EPA sampling of approximately fourteen (14) existing groundwater monitoring and water supply wells |
| February – March 2008 | April 22, 2008 (available in the "Technical Documents" section below) | DPRA | Installation and initial sampling of two (2) groundwater monitoring wells by the City of Colton wells (CPW-16 and CPW-17). |
| March 2009 | May 20, 2009 (summary table available in the "Technical Documents" section below) | CH2M Hill | EPA sampling of approximately fourteen (14) existing groundwater monitoring and water supply wells |
| April-May 2009 | Feb 2010 (available in the "Technical Documents" section below) | Environ International | Analysis of approximately 127 soil samples in five study areas associated with West Coast Loading Corp activities |
| April-September 2009 | November 2010 (available in the "Technical Documents" section below) | CH2M Hill | EPA analysis of soil and soil gas samples from two 100-foot deep borings installed in the footprint of the former B.F. Goodrich disposal pit, and from a third 100-foot boring adjacent to the former pit. |
| April 2009 through December 2009 | August 2010 (available in the "Technical Documents" section below) | CH2M Hill | EPA installation and initial sampling of six 900-foot multi-level groundwater monitoring wells (EPA-MP1 through EPA- MP6). |
| March-April 2010 | Jun 4, 2010 (summary table available in the "Technical Documents" section below) | CH2M Hill | EPA sampling of approximately 25 existing groundwater monitoring and water supply wells |
| June-July 2011 | Aug 25, 2011 (summary tables available in the "Technical Documents" section below) | ITSI | EPA sampling of approximately 22 existing groundwater monitoring and water supply wells |
| August 2011 through January 2012 | [Initial results expected in February or March 2012] | ITSI | EPA installation of two 900-foot multi-level groundwater monitoring wells (EPA-MP7 and EPA- MP8). |
Remedy Selected
EPA has completed a remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS) in which it evaluated options for an initial groundwater cleanup project at the Site. The project is known as "the Source Area Operable Unit." On February 3, 2010, EPA released a proposed groundwater cleanup plan, RI/FS Report, and Administrative Record. The proposed cleanup plan is dated January 2010; the RI/FS report is dated January 25, 2010; and the Administrative Record Index is dated February 2, 2010. EPA explained its proposal at a public meeting on February 10, 2010, in Rialto, CA and accepted comments on its proposal until March 8, 2010. After carefully considering the comments, EPA adopted a cleanup plan (a "Record of Decision") on September 30, 2010. The Record of Decision describes the selected remedy, explains the basis for EPA's decision to select the remedy, and responds to comments on EPA's proposed cleanup plan. EPA has also prepared a supplement to the Administrative Record to support its decision.
EPA’s selected remedy is a groundwater pump and treat system intended to intercept and remove contaminated groundwater spreading from the 160-acre source area. The 160-acre source area is where most or all of the contaminants entered the groundwater and testing has identified the highest levels of groundwater contamination.
The remedy includes the construction and operation of groundwater extraction wells pumping approximately 1,500 to 3,200 gallons per minute (gpm) of contaminated water; liquid-phase granular activated carbon (LGAC) or other water treatment systems to remove trichloroethene (TCE) and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the extracted groundwater; ion exchange or other water treatment systems to remove perchlorate from the extracted groundwater; pipelines and pumps to convey the treated water from the treatment plant to one or more local water utilities for distribution to the utility’s customers as drinking water supply (or to reinjection wells to replenish the aquifer if agreements cannot be reached with the water utilities in a reasonable period of time to distribute the water); and a groundwater monitoring program. The estimated cost of the remedy is $13 to $18 million for design and construction, and $1.3 to $1.6 million for annual operation and maintenance. See the Record of Decision for additional details.
The selected remedy is the first of at least two planned remedies to address contaminated groundwater at the Site.
The RI/FS Report, proposed cleanup plan, Record of Decision, Administrative Record Index, and Supplement to the Administrative Record Index are available in the "Documents and Reports" section below. To obtain documents listed in the Administrative Record Index, contact the EPA Superfund Records Center at (415) 820-4700.
Remedy Design
As of January 2012, EPA is in discussions with local water utilities to determine how best to implement its September 2010 remedy
Potentially Responsible Parties
Potentially responsible parties (PRPs) refers to companies that are potentially responsible for generating, transporting, or disposing of the hazardous waste found at the site.
EPA has identified the following parties as PRPs at the site:
- Goodrich Corporation
- Emhart Industries (on behalf of West Coast Loading Corporation)
- Pyro Spectaculars Inc. (PSI)
- Ken Thompson Inc. (current property owner)
- Chung Ming Wong (current property owner)
- Pyrotronics, Inc. (“Pyrotronics”)
- Harry Hescox
In February 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a complaint on EPA’s behalf pursuant to CERCLA and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) seeking reimbursement of costs and performance of response actions by the PRPs. In February 2011, EPA issued "Special Notice" letters to PRPs at the site inviting the PRPs to participate in formal negotiations with EPA in an effort to reach a settlement to conduct or finance the cleanup identified in its September 2010 Record of Decision. As of May 25, 2011, when the special notice moratorium expired, EPA had not received a "Good Faith Offer" to its Special Notice letters.
Documents and Reports
Community Involvement
Public Meetings: December 2, 2009 - EPA and the California Department of Public Health held a joint public meeting in Rialto, CA
USEPA Introduction to BF Goodrich Superfund | English | Spanish CDPH Public Health Assesment Presentation | English | Spanish
February 10, 2010 - EPA explained its proposed groundwater cleanup plan at a public meeting in Rialto, CA
October - November 2010 - EPA interviewed community members in the Rialto area to support development of a Community Involvement Plan.
Public Information Repositories
The public information repositories for the site are at the following locations:
The most complete collection of documents is the official EPA site file, maintained at the following location:
Superfund Records Center
Mail Stop SFD-7C
95 Hawthorne Street, Room 403
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 820-4700
Enter main lobby of 75 Hawthorne street, go to 4th floor of South Wing Annex.
Contacts
EPA Site Manager
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
EPA Community Involvement Coordinator
1-800-231-3075
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
EPA Public Information Center
State Contact
PRP Contact
Community Contact
Other Contacts
After Hours (Emergency Response)