All News Releases By Date

BKK LANDFILL SUBMITS GROUNDWATER CLEANUP PLAN TO EPA

Release Date: 10/17/2000
Contact Information: Wendy L. Chavez, U.S. EPA, 415.744.1588

     SAN FRANCISCO   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today it has received the BKK Corporation cleanup plan to contain liquid waste and control polluted groundwater at the now closed BKK Landfill hazardous waste disposal facility in West Covina, Calif.  The EPA has previously estimated the cleanup costs to be up to $12.5 million.

     The work plan requires the EPA's approval and includes the activities necessary to design, construct, operate, and maintain the groundwater remedy that was selected by the EPA in February 2000.  BKK must also provide financial assurance to fund the remedy for the long term.

     "This plan is another important step toward cleaning up the contamination at the BKK Landfill," said Jeff Scott, acting director of the EPA's Waste Division for the Pacific Southwest.  "We are pleased that the BKK Corporation has submitted this plan and is working toward protecting the environment and preventing the further spread of groundwater contamination."

     On September 14, 2000, the EPA issued a corrective action order to BKK to install at least 61 new wells over the next 3 years.  The wells will draw out the contaminated groundwater, which will be treated on site.  The EPA groundwater remedy requires BKK to pump and treat the groundwater until state and federal drinking water standards have been met and maintained.

     The groundwater is polluted primarily with volatile organic compounds, which are used as coolants in refrigerators, as dry-cleaning solutions, and for degreasing oily material.  To date, over 200 monitoring wells have been installed at the BKK which have been used to determine the nature and extent of groundwater contamination.