Courtesy photo.
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Independent contractors began testing at the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport this week to determine if airport property is the source of toxic chemicals found in nearby groundwater.
Roux Associates, an environmental consulting and management firm, will test the soil and groundwater on airport property in an attempt to find traces of trichloroethylene (TCE), as required by the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board). Final test reports will be available in the fall.
“Public health and safety is our top priority when dealing with groundwater contamination,” said Assistant County Administrative Officer Guy Savage. “To date, we have yet to find anything to indicate that the source of TCE found in the groundwater along Buckley Road is coming from airport property. Regardless, we will continue searching until we are satisfied that airport property is not the source.”
Roux Associates will collect groundwater samples on airport property along Buckley Road; and collect nearly 100 soil gas samples around the Airport’s two runways and existing facilities, along Buckley Road at a stormwater drainage pathway, and at other areas on airport property based on input from the Water Board. The samples will carefully be packaged and mailed to a certified, third-party laboratory under standard chain-of-custody procedures.
TCE was detected in groundwater near Buckley Road, but the contamination source is currently unknown. Although the Water Board is the regional regulatory agency responsible for protecting the quality of the waters of the region, the County has been working with the Water Board to identify potential sources for the contamination. Additionally, the County has provided a variety of resources to residents who want to test their private well water systems. The County has spent months investigating and inspecting airport and airport tenant operations, records and documents.
“We have done and will continue to do everything required of us, and more, to help identify potential sources of contamination,” Savage said. “The County will likely have a role in its cleanup regardless of whether the contamination is coming from airport property or sources outside of the airport.”