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Construction of chromium treatment system begins at San Fernando Valley Superfund site

Release Date: 07/02/2008
Contact Information: David Yogi, (415) 972-3653, [email protected]

Wellhead treatment to remove chromium contamination

LOS ANGELES— The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board today announce that Honeywell International, Inc. has recently begun construction of a wellhead treatment system for chromium in the North Hollywood region of the San Fernando Valley - Area 1 Superfund Site.

In early 2007, a production well that is part of the groundwater cleanup system for solvent contamination in North Hollywood was shut down when chromium contamination was detected at levels that significantly exceeded California state drinking water standards. With the addition of the chromium wellhead treatment system, this well will be returned to service and protect surrounding production wells from chromium contamination.

“This is an important step in our ongoing program to contain and reduce chromium at the site, and prevent future migration of the chromium plume,” said Wayne Nastri, regional administrator for EPA’s Pacific Southwest region. “The installation of the wellhead treatment system will ensure the cleanup continues to provide clean drinking water to valley residents.”

“We can no longer depend upon the Delta and Colorado River to supply the water our region needs,” said Fran Diamond, chair of the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board. “When completed, this project will increase the availability of safe drinking water from local sources. All Angelinos will benefit from improving our self-reliance.”

Following a March 2007 order issued by the regional board, Honeywell International, Inc. is installing the additional treatment system. Chromium-tainted groundwater in the North Hollywood area is a result of aerospace industrial operations. These operations, such as electroplating and metal finishing processes, were conducted from the early 1940s through the early 1990s by Honeywell’s legacy companies, Bendix and Allied Signal.

The U.S. EPA and the regional board have been active in groundwater cleanup efforts in the San Fernando Valley area since the early 1980s when solvent contamination was first discovered. The North Hollywood groundwater treatment system has operated since 1989 to remove TCE, PCE, and other volatile organic compounds from the North Hollywood area.

Chromium is a metal found in natural deposits as ores containing other elements. The greatest use of chromium is in metal alloys such as stainless steel, protective coatings on metal, magnetic tapes, and pigments for paints, cement, paper, rubber, composition floor covering and other materials. Its soluble forms are used in wood preservatives.

For more information on the chromium cleanup in the San Fernando Valley, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/sfund/chromium/index.html

For consumer information on chromium, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/dw_contamfs/chromium.html