Tucson Water Quality VOC case history. Arizona Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR203 1

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1 Tucson Water Quality VOC case history Arizona Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR203 1

2 Imagine you found out that your new house was the site of a recent gas line leak What questions might you have? Where would you go to find information? How would you assess your family s health risks? Arizona Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR203 2

3 Sources of information Arizona Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR203 3

4 Gasoline Health Risks - ToxFAQ s At high levels, automotive gasoline is irritating to the lungs or to the stomach hlining, i if swallowed. Exposure to high levels may also cause harmful effects to the nervous system. Gasoline is also a skin irritant. There is not enough info available to determine if gasoline causes birth defects or affects reproduction Arizona Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR203 4

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6 KM Pipeline Contamination Clean-up Update According to the latest figures released by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, more than 35,000 gallons of gasoline were released during the pipeline rupture on July 30, The gasoline at the surface was removed immediately. The remainder has percolated down through the soil, and some has reached the groundwater beneath the spill site. Kinder Morgan has completed the drilling of 25 small groundwater monitoring and/or clean-up wells in the vicinity of the gasoline spill. The wells are used to monitor the extent of the groundwater contamination in the area and to extract any gasoline products found in the groundwater or the soil beneath the spill site. These wells have helped determine the size of the area where groundwater contamination has occurred. (Note: These wells are not, and will never be, part of our drinking water system.) Since the start of groundwater contamination clean-up, more than 25,000 gallons of gasoline products have been removed from the groundwater in the area. As of the end of April 2004, the closest City of Tucson water monitoring well (WR-070A) continues to test free of any gasoline contamination. Kinder Morgan has installed two vapor-extraction wells that are designed to remove gasoline products from the soil beneath the spill site. Because gasoline products evaporate easily, some of the vapors are trapped in the soil between the land surface and the top of the groundwater table. Vapor extraction removes these contaminants by vacuuming them from the soil and containing them for later disposal. This process is commonly used to remove contamination from soil and has a good record of success. Tucson Water KM Pipeline website, Aug 25, 2004 Arizona Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR203 6

7 Mayor s Kinder Morgan Pipeline Task Force Mission Statement This citizen's taskforce is charged with the responsibility to: Monitor the installation of the new twelve inch pipeline to ensure safe construction activities, Monitor the replacement of desert vegetation confirming that the result meets or surpasses City ordinance, Explore all options that would allow the pipeline to be moved out of residential areas, Working with the Mayor, keep the community informed regarding all issues listed above. Arizona Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR203 7

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9 Hazardous Dumps & Plumes Arizona Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR

10 Silverbell Jail Annex Landfill Site Active Detected 1985 Remediation lbs VOC/649 PCE SVE Arizona / Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR203 10

11 TCE & PCE Health Risks High concentrations of PCE (particularly in Most people begin to smell TCE in air at a concentration of 100 ppmv (OSHA 8 hr lim) closed, poorly ventilated areas) can cause dizziness, headache, sleepiness, confusion, Breathing small amounts may cause nausea, difficulty in speaking and walking, headaches, lung irritation, dizziness, poor unconsciousness, and death. coordination, and difficulty concentrating. In industry, most workers are exposed to Breathing large amounts of TCE may cause levels lower than those causing obvious impaired heart function, unconsciousness, nervous system effects. The health effects of and death. Breathing it for long periods may breathing in air or drinking water with low cause nerve, kidney, and liver damage. levels of PCE are not known. Drinking large amounts of TCE may cause Results of animal studies, show that PCE can nausea, liver damage, unconsciousness, cause liver and kidney damage. Exposure to impaired heart function, or death. very high h levels l of PCE can be toxic to small unborn rodents and can cause behavioral Drinking small amounts of TCE for long changes in pups of mothers that breathed periods may cause liver and kidney damage, high levels of the chemical while pregnant. impaired immune system function, and impaired i fetal development tin pregnant Skin irritation may result from repeated or women, although the extent of some of these extended skin contact with it. These effects is not yet clear. symptoms occur almost entirely in groups that used PCE to get a "high." TCE is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. PCE is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. Arizona Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR203 11

12 What is the role of the press? Arizona Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR203 12

13 Arizona Daily Star Testing of soil to begin Monday October 3, words CORRECTION RAN OCTOBER 4, 2004 A2 The names of the subdivisions where low levels of PCE and TCE have been found are Silver Creek I and II. The names were wrong Sunday in a story on B1. ///// No health threat, official tells West Side residents ///// Testing to determine the extent of gaseous contaminants present in the soil of two West Side subdivisions will begin Monday, though state officials said the levels do not constitute a health threat. Pollutants found near pipeline break site September 25, words TCE, PCE in soil below houses not believed to be from rupture ///// Low levels of PCE and TCE have been found in the ground beneath the 400 homes in two West Side subdivisions where a gasoline pipeline ruptured last year, the ADEQ revealed Friday. The contamination was discovered by Kinder Morgan workers during testing for the cleanup of the gas-line break near Grant and Silverbell roads, said David Esposito Pipeline safety remains a concern - July 31, words Kinder Morgan faces $325K fine for upkeep issues - July 16, wd Pipeline owner still doesn't know how much gas got spilled in break May 11, words Pipeline rupture woes grow - November 14, words Mayor seeks pipeline task force - October 28, words Arizona Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR203 13

14 Tucson Citizen Chemicals detected on W. Side strike fears October 2, words By BRAD BRANAN JoeAnn Lanier lost her parents, her husband and a brother to cancer. She thinks they were poisoned by TCE (TCE), which contaminated South Side water for more than 30 years until the early 1980s, according to one government estimate. Officials took too long to respond to the tainted water, she said. "Imagine going home and your family is gone. That's what it's been like," said Lanier West Side soil iltests t begin Monday October 2, words By TEYA VITU The state will start taking soil samples Monday near the Silver Creek I and II subdivisions on the West Side to see whether the ground is contaminated with cancer-causing chemicals. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality could confirm March and July findings of low levels of the chemicals by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners. The company tested in the North Silverbell-West Grant roads area to establish how far gasoline from its 2003 pipeline Gas spill revisited - Residents split on whether firm deserves fine July 16, words By LARRY COPENHAVER OUR OPINION January 29, words Arizona Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR203 14

15 Questions Who is responsible for this cleaning this up? Kinder Morgan City, ADEQ, Tucson Water What role should local papers play in this drama? What information should be made available to the public? What are the relative dangers poised by the gasoline and the TCE/PCE? C How likely are we to clean up this site? Arizona Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR203 15

16 ADEQ to Conduct Soil Vapor Testing in Silver Creek Community in Tucson PHOENIX (Sept. 24, 2004) -- Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Owens announced today that ADEQ will conduct environmental testing of soil vapor within the Silver Creek I and II subdivisions in Tucson to assess the extent to which volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may be present in the soil in the area. The sampling will begin on October 4 and will take approximately 10 working days to complete. ADEQ decided to conduct this sampling after VOCs were found in soil vapor samples taken by Kinder Morgan over the summer. Soil vapors are the gaseous elements and compounds that fill the small spaces between soil particles. Owens said that ADEQ believes the soil vapors are unrelated to the Kinder Morgan pipeline rupture that occurred last year which contaminated soil and groundwater elsewhere in the area. "We are taking these samples to verify and expand upon the Kinder Morgan data so we can evaluate the extent to which VOCs may be present, determine the reason they may be there, and, if necessary, develop an appropriate cleanup plan," Owens said. Owens stressed that there is no immediate risk to the residents in the area and that the sampling is being conducted simply as a precaution at this time. ADEQ will hold an informational meeting about the planned soil vapor testing on Saturday, October 2, at the El Rio Neighborhood Center, 1390 W. Speedway Blvd. in Tucson from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The public is invited. Arizona Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR203 16

17 ADEQ to Conduct Soil Vapor Testing in Silver Creek Community in Tucson TO: The Residents of the Silver Creek I and II Subdivisions, Tucson, Arizona RE: Environmental Testing Planned by ADEQ in the Neighborhood Dear Resident: The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) plans to conduct environmental testing of soil vapor within the Silver Creek I and II subdivisions. During October 2004, ADEQ will undertake this shallow soil vapor assessment to confirm and expand upon findings of soil vapor sampling performed by Kinder Morgan in March and July Why Is ADEQ Testing Soil Vapors In the Silver Creek Subdivisions? During site characterization studies of the gasoline spill, Kinder Morgan identified the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the soil vapors. Soil vapors are the gaseous elements and compounds that fill the small spaces between soil particles. VOCs were detected five feet below ground surface and also found through the sampling of groundwater monitor wells at approximately feet below ground surface. ADEQ believes that the soil vapors are unrelated to the pipeline rupture, but these compounds are of concern to ADEQ. ADEQ s investigation will better define the extent of the VOC detections and will help provide the basis for a cleanup plan, if it is determined that the vapors pose a health risk. What Can the Neighborhood Expect During Testing? The soil vapor testing should not produce significant noise or dust, and will take place on rights-of-way, not on residential property. The sampling equipment will be removed as soon as testing is completed. Any areas of pavement or walkways disturbed by this work will be repaired. Utilities will not be interrupted during the soil testing. There may be some disruption to street traffic or parking. Barricades and signs will be present to guide residents. In advance of conducting sampling, ADEQ plans to hold an informational meeting Saturday, October 2 to answer questions about the planned soil vapor testing. The meeting will be held at the El Rio Neighborhood Center, 1390 W. Speedway Blvd. in Tucson from 10:30 a.m. to Noon. The public is invited. Arizona Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR203 17

18 Kinder Morgan Pipeline Release Update - 9/27/04 Background On July 30, 2003, Kinder Morgan s 8-inch pipeline from Tucson to Phoenix ruptured, releasing what is currently estimated to be nearly 48,000 gallons of fuel in the Tucson area. The release point was located west of Interstate 10, north of Grant Road and east of Silvercroft Wash. The fuel was released into and around the Silvercroft Wash, and the pressure in the pipe when it ruptured led to five adjacent home sites getting sprayed by fuel. ADEQ issued two Notices of Violation to Kinder Morgan (on Sept. 11, 2003 and Nov. 13, 2003) for violations of environmental laws. Although groundwater in the area is contaminated, no drinking water supply wells have been impacted. ADEQ continues to monitor cleanup activities at the site and will ensure that all steps are taken to ensure that public health is protected. Cleanup Activities (as of September e 27, 2004) 1. Homes sprayed with gasoline were condemned and were torn down. 2. More than 4,100 cubic yards of contaminated soil were removed from the affected subdivision and from Silvercroft Wash. 3. Kinder Morgan currently has 26 groundwater monitoring wells installed. Eleven of these wells are being used to pump fuel out of the groundwater. 4. As of September 16, 2004, approximately 47,916 gallons of fuel have been recovered. 5. Kinder Morgan is working with the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) to get the necessary air quality permit to install and operate a Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE) system which will pull additional fuels out of soils further below the surface. The permit application should be submitted to PDEQ in September Arizona Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR203 18

19 Kinder Morgan pipeline break & clean-up 7/30/03 Break, 10,000 gal 1/28/04 ADEQ asks for more drilling, 19,000 gal Kinder Morgan fined $25,000, drills 18 monitoring wells 7,700 gal recovered, contamination covers 300 ft x 350 ft (2.4ac) Monitoring wells show gas floating 3 above GW at 140 depth Other reports cite contamination as little as 5, as deep as 140 8/25/04 KM plans two Soil Vapor Extraction systems Drill 7 more monitoring wells, 35,000 gal, 25 kgal recovered 9/25/04 Pollutants (PCE & TCE) found near break site Area covers 200 acres; spill now thought to be 48,000 gal Residents get notice from ADEQ and invitation to public meeting Gaseous VOC s: 5 ppmv; ppmv MCL s (liquid): PCE & mg/l (5 ppb) Grijalva & Ibara have pushed public disclosure Arizona Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR203 19

20 JPL Superfund Site Evaluation Mixed VOC contamination, mainly TCE 17 ug/l to 8.2 ug/l (vapor phase) Rate = 300 cfm; ~ ppmv 6 mo net = lbs VOC; 5.2 lbs TCE; 0.5 lbs PCE Radius of Influence = 450 ft Process 99% destructive Arizona Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR203 20

21 Tucson International Airport Site 1950 s AFP44/Hughes/Raytheon TCE (degreaser), Cr/Cd/Cy Foul chemical odor reported Storm RO flows onto SanX res holding ponds lined 1981 TW shuts down 11 wells 1982 EPA lists as Superfund site TCE listed as probable HC, 5 ppb PCE listed as possible HC; 1989 Cr listed as human carcinogen, 100 ppb 1984 Class-action lawsuit, 1600 plaintiffs $130 M settlement; $23M payout 10/04 Clean-up GW: pump & treat, 25 klbs VOC, 2025 Soil/ponds, 100 ktons Vadose: SVE, 100 klbs VOC, 2025 Arizona Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR203 21

22 Phoenix TCE Pollution Arizona Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR203 22

23 Typical SVE System Arizona Water Issues The University of Arizona HWR203 23