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U.S. EPA ANNOUNCES GROUNDWATER CLEANUP AT TECHALLOY CO.

Release Date: 5/17/1995
Contact Information: Paula Bruin, U.S. EPA, (415) 744-1587

 (San Francisco)--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(U.S. EPA) today announced a plan for cleaning up contaminated
groundwater at Techalloy Co. Inc., Perris, Calif.

     "This action will significantly contribute to the
achievement of U.S. EPA's ultimate objective in this project:
protection of the health and environment of the citizens who live
in the vicinity of the facility," said Jeff Zelikson, U.S. EPA's
regional hazardous waste management division director.  "This
decision was made after careful consideration of all the
alternatives and a thorough review of the public's comments."

      Techalloy first will install approximately two to three
extraction wells and will treat the contaminated groundwater
using a vapor recompression evaporator system (similar to a
distillation process) or with the existing wastewater treatment
system at the facility.

     U.S. EPA will oversee the design, construction and
performance of the groundwater cleanup system and may require
that Techalloy expand the system depending on the initial
system's effectiveness.

     This site is regulated under the federal Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the California Hazardous
Waste Control Law which governs management of hazardous waste.

     The Techalloy facility has operated in a mixed
agricultural/industrial area since 1965.  It produces stainless
steel and nickel/copper alloy wires used primarily by the
aerospace industry.  The manufacturing process produces
wastewater containing metal compounds, such as chromium, copper,
nickel, zinc, and arsenic.  Until 1985, the wastewater was
managed in three on-site evaporation ponds.  In 1989, Techalloy
cleaned up contaminated soils and sludges at the site and
installed a cap over the three evaporation ponds.

     Drinking water for residents in the vicinity of the
Techalloy facility is currently piped in by the Eastern Municipal
Water district from sources in northern California.  

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