All News Releases By Date

U.S. EPA FLIPS THE SWITCH AT WHITTIER NARROWS TREATMENT PLANT

Release Date: 6/7/2002
Contact Information: Lisa Fasano, U.S. EPA, (415) 947-4307, Cell: (415) 760-5421

     U.S Representative's Solis and Napolitano participate in dedication ceremony

     SAN FRANCISCO - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced it is beginning full- scale operation of the Whittier Narrows groundwater treatment facility constructed in the Whittier Narrows Nature Center.  The EPA's Regional Administrator Wayne Nastri and California Department of Toxic Substances Control Director Edwin Lowry were joined by Representative Hilda Solis 31st Congressional District and Representative Grace Napolitano, 34th Congressional District at a dedication ceremony at the site in South El Monte, Calif.

     The treatment facility was designed to clean up contamination in the Whittier Narrows area of the San Gabriel Superfund sites and to prevent contaminated groundwater from moving into the Central Basin which will protect the drinking water for more than 2 million customers in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

     "This treatment facility marks the line in the sand where contamination will not cross," said Wayne Nastri, EPA's regional administrator for the Pacific Southwest region.  "In an area where groundwater resources are vital, projects like this take on added importance.  Providing clean drinking water is a win- win not only for the environment, but for neighboring cities as well."
   
     The EPA began investigating groundwater in Whittier Narrows in the late 80's.  Although water met both state and federal standards at the time, the agency continued to monitor the situation to ensure contamination from the San Gabriel Superfund sites did not impact water resources in this area.  

     Continued monitoring indicated that contamination was spreading into the area.  In 1999 the agency revised it's plan for the Whittier Narrows portion of the San Gabriel Valley Superfund site and made a commitment to stop the spread of contamination in the area.

     Construction of  the 16 million gallon-per-day treatment plant began in June 2001 and was completed in March 2002 at a cost of $12 million.  Clean drinking water from this treatment plant will be available for use in Whittier and surrounding communities later this fall.