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Northrop Grumman to spend $21 million for toxic clean up of San Gabriel Valley groundwater
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Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corporation has settled with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to the tune of $21 million dollars requiring Northrop Grumman to clean up their groundwater contamination at the San Gabriel Valley Super-fund Site. The groundwater was contaminated by more than 60 source properties that used Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs) for degreasing and metal cleaning amongst other things.
The San Gabriel basin groundwater aquifers provide 90 percent of the drinking water for over one million people.
Representing 45 defendants also settling in this suit, Northrop Grumman has agreed to build a groundwater cleanup system using wells to pump out contaminated groundwater preventing further migration at the Puente Valley Operable Unit. Northrop Grumman will also construct a treatment plant to remove Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs) contaminants from the groundwater as well as installing water conveyance pipelines.
The Puente Valley Operable Unit is an area of contaminated groundwater located beneath City of Industry, La Puente, Walnut and several parts of unincorporated Los Angeles County.
The treated water will be used for drinking water supply, water reclamation projects and, or discharged to surface water.
In 2002, Northrop Grumman got in hot water with the EPA before they agreed to a settlement for over 10 million dollars to implement intermediate zone remedial action in compliance with an EPA order. The settlement also provided for reimbursement of $465,420.90 to the EPA and $90,000 to the California Department of Toxic Substances.
One might wonder if Northrup Grumman has a contaminated water slush fund for just these sorts of aggravating annoyances. Perhaps Northrup Grumman might get the point if their own corporate heads and board were forced to drink water from the same ground water sources they feel the corporate need to contaminate.
For more information, go to www.epa.gov.
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