Cleanup on a large scale. [Ground water contamination in the San Gabriel Basin]

Journal Article · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Civil Engineering and Public Works Review; (UK)

OSTI ID:6831133

Foreman, T L; Ziemba, N L ^[1]

---

1. CH2M Hill, Newport Beach, CA (USA)

The lack of physical barriers has allowed groundwater contamination to spread throughout the San Gabriel Basin. Already 30% of the present 87 water producers have been polluted with 18 toxic chemicals, some found as deep as 700 ft. Trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene and carbon tetrachloride have been identified in the highest concentrations. Studies show that contamination is likely to spread to as many as 20 more producers within 5-20 years. The lack of sufficient alternative water supplies makes water salvage the most logical solution. However, an easy and inexpensive remedy is not likely for several reasons. More than 50 entities own water rights in the basin. Pumping is not controlled or coordinated to that contamination spread is minimized. Alternate water sources must consider water rights. At least 24 municipalities, each with individual ordinances, must be considered. Interim methods for handling the contaminated supplies include abandoning some wells, blending water with clean water, boiling water, using bottled water for drinking treating with activated carbon, drilling of deeper wells. Studies are underway to develop a long-term, coordinated plan for managing water quality in this basin. 1 fig.

• OSTI ID: 6831133
• Journal Information: Civil Engineering and Public Works Review; (UK), Journal Name: Civil Engineering and Public Works Review; (UK) Vol. 57:8; ISSN CEWRA; ISSN 0009-7861
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
CALIFORNIA
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
CONTAMINATION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FEDERAL REGION IX
GROUND WATER
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
USA
WATER
WATER QUALITY
WATER SUPPLY