Incident Report - Sanitation District

Transcription

2011 ANNUAL REPORT
INDUSTRIAL WASTE PRETREATMENT PROGRAM
COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICTS OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY
GRACE ROBINSON CHAN
CHIEF ENGINEER AND GENERAL MANAGER
SUBMITTED
February 28, 2012
EXHIBIT E
IW REPORTS ON INCIDENTS
2011 SUMMARY OF TREATMENT PLANT INCIDENTS
Type of
Incident
COD/Solids/
Ragging
Metals/
Cyanide
Toxicity
pH High
pH Low
Turbidity
Oil/Grease
LEL
NDMA
Color
Foam
Chloride
Odor
Ammonia
JWPCP
SJC-E
WRP
SJC-W
WRP
POM
WRP
VAL
WRP
PALM
WRP
SAUG
WRP
LAN
WRP
La Can
WRP
Total
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
0
0
1
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
6
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
6
0
9
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
LC WRP LB WRP WN WRP
High Flow
Tri Halo
Methane
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
3
3
1
10
2
1
4
1
0
1
6
0
32
2011 PUMP PLANT INCIDENTS INVESTIGATED
EXCESS FLOW
3
PERSONAL WIPE RAGGING
0*
OTHER RAGGING
0
FLAMMABILITY/LEL
1
COLOR
0
ODOR
2
PUMP MALFUNCTION
1
FOAM
1
CORROSION
0
EXCESS MAINTENANCE
1
OILY SLUDGE
0
TOTAL
9
*In 2009 Compton Yard installed improved pumps that chopped personal wipes
2011 SURFACE DISCHARGE INCIDENTS INVESTIGATED
IU - SPILL
6
RIVER SPILL/DUMP
2
FUEL/SOLVENT
0
CHEMICAL/PAINT SPILL
1
SEPTIC WASTE DUMP
2
GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION
0
NUISANCE DISCHARGE
4
Total
15
2011 SEWER INCIDENTS INVESTIGATED
Elevated H2S reported by Sewer crew
1
ODOR- Sulfide
0
ODOR-Other
3
FIRE INVESTIGATION: Non-refinery
0
FOAM
0
OIL/FUEL/SOLVENT
1
RAGGING
0
EXCESS SOLIDS
2
SCALE
0
Elevated LEL reported by sewer crew
41
LOW pH
0
CORROSION
1
RAINWATER
0
COLOR
1
BLOCKAGE/SSO Due to Grease
3
BLOCKAGE/SSO Not due to Grease
1
ILLEGAL ACCESS TO MANHOLE
0
EXCESS FLOW
2
MISCELLANEOUS
1
ILLEGAL DUMP
0
Total
57
2011 SUMMARY OF INCIDENT REFERRALS
Nature of Incident
Industrial User off-spec or nonpermitted discharge
Caller ID
IU
Equipment
Malfunctio
n
Odor
Reports
Refinery
Fire
or
impound
of
off spec
waste
reports
Sewer
Excess
Flow
Misc. Haz
or NonNon- Non-sewer
Refinery
related
Haz
Fire
incidents
Sewer
Discharge
Total
Acid
Oil
Misc
IU
Release
6
1
4
8
2
8
0
3
0
0
32
IU
SMR Call
0
0
9
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
Public
Agency
0
0
3
1
0
0
2
1
0
2
9
IWMC or
CSD
14
0
2
8
0
0
0
2
0
2
28
Citizen
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
3
Anonymous
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
News
Report
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
3
Total
20
1
19
17
5
8
2
6
2
5
85
2011 LIQUID WASTE DISPOSAL STATION REFERRALS
EXCESS EXCESS IRREGULAR LOW/HIGH EXCESS SUSPICIOUS INAPPROPRIATE
MISC. TOTAL
SOLIDS GREASE RECORDS
pH
TDS
ACTIVITY
SOURCE
LWDS
Attendant
calls for
assistance or
investigation
0
0
0
10
9
0
0
0
19
INDUSTRIAL WASTE SECTION
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES
FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2011
TREATMENT PLANT/SEWER/OTHER INCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS
Vapor Release in the City of Commerce
At 0830 hours on Wednesday January 5 Cynthia Eagleson from Amvac Chemical called
Bill Garrett to report a spill of about five gallons of chlorosulfonic acid that was caught in a spill
containment dike at:
Amvac Chemical Corporation
4090 E Washington Bl
City of Commerce
IW 243
21,312 gpd
She stated that none of the material escaped to the sewer or to the ground but fumes may have been
released. She reported the release to Cal EMA and the state and national response centers.
IW Inspector Steve Wittmer verified that none of the spilled chlorosulfonic acid was
discharged to the sewer or the storm drain. All of the spilled material was captured with dry
absorbent and stored in a 55-gallon drum. The drum will be hauled to an appropriate disposal
facility after it has been profiled. There were no adverse affects on the sewer system or the
downstream WRP as a result of the spill. The Inspector will follow-up to verify that the broken
flange that caused the spill in the acid delivery system in the fungicide production area has been
repaired.
Red Color at the San Jose Creek West WRP
On Wednesday January 5 at 1510 hours TPO II Jeff Valdes called IW to report that red
color was entering the SJC West WRP and was visible in the primary tanks. There were no other
pH or odor or dissolved oxygen changes at the WRP. A follow-up check at 1900 hours determined
that the color was no longer evident in the WRP. Supervising Operator Pat Dial confirmed that
about 30% of the influent at the West plant had originated from the East plant but that no color was
detected anywhere in the East plant wastewater.
Review of spills reported to the State Office of Emergency Management (OEM) found that
there were no reported incidents involving chemicals or industrial solutions/waste that would have
caused the red color at the San Jose Creek West WRP. Inspections at nine potential industrial
contributors of red/orange color sources tributary to the JO A-1A SJC WRP Interceptor found no
likely sources.
SJC Laboratory Research Scientist Larry Neisess attempted to identify the nature of the red
color in the influent sample but his extraction procedures failed to isolate the color in the sample.
He speculated that the color was not from an ink but it could be from something “as innocuous as
beet juice”. Textile dyes were not completely eliminated as a source. The concentrations of
metals including iron were not remarkable in the red-colored sample.
There were no effluent violations or interruption of the treatment process due to this
incident. Operators continued to check the treatment plant for color over the next two weeks but
no further color incidents occurred. Inspectors continued to search for sources of red color into the
WRP.
DOC# 1854568
Release to the Storm Drain in Montebello
During a routine inspection on January 7 at 1045 hours IW Inspector Jonathon Powell
witnessed an inappropriate discharge of spent quench water from forged aluminum products
flowing to the storm drain at:
Performance Forged Products
7401 Telegraph Rd
Montebello 90640
fid 9245388
Both the Manager and the President of the company insisted that the discharge to the street
“… was perfectly clean…” and they produced an analysis to show the low level of contamination
in the discharge. Inspector Powell’s field tests of the quench water showed pH=7.6 and
temperature=86 degrees Fahrenheit. The inspector explained that direct discharge to the street was
not acceptable but that they were welcome to discharge the industrial wastewater to the sewer if
they would apply for an industrial wastewater discharge permit with the Sanitation Districts. The
company contacts said that they would study the options to apply for an NPDES permit, haul the
wastewater off-site or apply for a sewer discharge permit. Inspector Powell forwarded his findings
regarding his discovery to the City of Montebello and the Regional Water Quality Board.
A follow-up inspection found that facility operators had decided to install a recirculation
system with a filter to recycle the quench wastewater. Operators agreed to contact the Districts if
in the future they decided to pursue discharging the wastewater to the sewer.
Sewer Odor in Irwindale
On January 7, 2011 Edgar Rojas from the City of Irwindale forwarded an odor complaint
for a Districts' manhole located along a storm channel on Cypress St at Nora Av in the City of
Irwindale. IW Inspector Georgia Blaszcak met City of Irwindale’s Richard Corpis and walked
through the area of the odor complaints (see figure 1). The odors were described as “strong
manure, musty or like rotten eggs”. She determined that the odors were due to venting at District
22 manholes 1043 and H 1209.
FIGURE 1 SHOWS THE YELLOW COLORED RESIDENCES THAT WERE THE SOURCE OF ODOR
COMPLAINTS ON NORA AV IN IRWINDALE.
DOC# 1854568
The Inspectors called San Gabriel Valley Field Office Supervisor of Sewer Maintenance
Bill Balas to seal the venting manholes. Balas responded that he was already aware of the two
manholes in question. He believed that a building contractor working on a project near the
manholes had recently opened them. Balas sent a crew out on January 12 to reseal the manholes.
Blaszcak returned to the area and confirmed that the odors were no longer present.
Metal Objects Found in a Sample Box in the City of Industry
On Wednesday January 12 at 0905 hours IWMC Senior Technician Robert Wiersma called
Supervising IW Inspector John Boyd and reported that he found metal bolts, nuts and wires in a
facility sample box that were interfering with his ability to set up his 24-hour sampler at:
The Los Angeles Salad Co., Inc.
600 S. 6th St.
City of Industry 91746
IW 16435
31,000 gpd
IW Inspector Anie Kellzi met with the environmental contact at the facility and issued a
verbal warning to remove the metal objects that had accumulated in the clarifier. The contact
speculated that a recent project to remove equipment from the processing area may have generated
the metal debris. Inspector Kellzi resolved the verbal warning after a clean-up crew vacuumcleaned the clarifier and removed over one gallon of nuts and bolts from the bottom of the clarifier.
Fire Department Inspection Request in the City of Industry
On Tuesday January 18 at 1300 hours Al Wilson from L A County Fire Station #87 in the
City of Industry requested that a Districts’ IW Inspector participate in a joint inspection to help his
agency better understand the wastewater treatment system as well as the production operations and
chemical usage at:
Hitex Dyeing & Finishing, Inc.
355 N. Vineland Av
IW 20610
270,000 gpd
The Fire Department believed that there were safety, air, surface water and wastewater issues at
the facility. On January 25 IW Inspector Anie Kellzi joined the LA County Fire Department
Health Hazmat unit and Cal OSHA to inspect the facility. Ms. Kellzi did not find any violations of
the Wastewater Ordinance or the facility’s IW permit requirements during the multi-agency
inspection however the inspection team did find numerous Certified Unified Permit Agency
(CUPA) violations for improper storage of hazardous materials and chemicals, as well as
violations of Cal OSHA safety regulations. The Fire Dept and Cal OSHA cited the facility
operators for those violations. Pursuit of corrective action to resolve the violations will not include
any action by the Sanitation Districts’ inspection and enforcement staff.
Federal Aviation Administration Inspection Request in Palmdale
Consultant Tim Dobson from Bethel Services Inc. requested approval from the Sanitation
Districts to discharge a small volume of marker dye from the:
Federal Aviation Administration
2555 E. Avenue P
Palmdale 93550
DOC# 1854568
fid 9245292
IW Inspector Georgia Blaszcak met site operators on January 18 to review their procedures and
insure that the dye would not impact the Palmdale WRP. The facility was performing an internal
audit to determine which drains flow to the sanitary sewer and which drains flow to a storm catch
pond on the property known as "Lake Angelo". Operators used red and yellow dyes labeled
“Bright Dyes” made by Kingscote Chemicals. The amount of dye used for this project did not
significantly impact the color of the wastewater in the sewer. Treatment Plant Operators at the
Palmdale Water Treatment Plant confirmed that the color was not detected at the plant.
Palos Verdes Landfill Spill to the Storm Drain
On January 24 PV Landfill Site Engineer Ethan Laden called Bill Garrett to request to
discharge approximately 20,000 gallons of water pumped from a flood control channel as part of a
clean-up from non-stormwater discharge into the storm drain. A broken flange on the northwest
corner of the Botanical Garden was the cause of the release. Mr. Laden requested one-time
permission to dispose of this liquid into the sewer at the IW sewer permit #11695 discharge
location. The proposed flow rate for this project would not exceed 45 gpm. The request was
approved for:
LACSD - Palos Verdes Landfill
25706 S Hawthorne Boulevard
Rolling Hills Estates 90274
IW 11695
45 gpm
IW Inspector Shawn Cleaver met landfill technicians at the site. The spilled groundwater was
captured within a bermed area. Vacuum trucks transported the wastewater to landfill outfall IW
11695. Lab analyses of the captured water showed that the spill had the same water quality as the
groundwater that was regularly discharged to the sewer.
Milk Spill to the Sewer in South Gate
On Monday January 24 at 0830 hours Maria Hernandez from Saputo Cheese called Bill
Garrett to report a spill of 137,167 pounds (approximately 16,400 gallons) of raw milk to the
sewer. The spill was discovered at 0220 hours on January 24 and flowed to the sewer over a 3 3/4
hour period. An employee error during a milk transfer was the cause of the spill at:
Saputo Cheese USA Inc.
5611 E Imperial Highway
South Gate, CA 90280
IW 14716
Inspection confirmed that the raw milk spill was of the volume reported. The spilled milk
was monitored by the company's effluent flow meter and it will be included in their annual
surcharge statement filing calculations. The company's peak flow limit was not exceeded during
the spill event. The company was not issued a Notice of Violation for the release because there
was no significant impact to the downstream sewer or the JWPCP and all appropriate notifications
were performed. The loss significantly disrupted normal cheese production operations resulting in
a cost of about $75,000 being incurred by the company as a result of the spill. The company will
conduct employee retraining to prevent any similar milk spill events.
Excessive Bubbles in the Final Effluent from the Saugus WRP
At 1320 hours Tuesday January 25 TPO II Dale Ray called Bill Garrett and Pat Cashen to
report that white foam with small bubbles was visible in the river from the Saugus WRP's effluent.
Plant operators reported that the WRP had been operating normally; no tanks were out of service
over the last few weeks. The secondary effluent sample was within the normal range for MBAS.
DOC# 1854568
IW Inspector Pat Cashen did not find any spills, process changes or unusual discharges at
any of the major industrial facilities that had the potential to contribute to foaming at the WRP.
Observations and photos of the river outfall indicated minor foam that is typical at the outfall, but
this was after the plant increased the defoamant dosage. Per discussion with Biology Lab
Supervisor Jay Bottomley the foam in the river was evident for several weeks prior to the plant
notification to IW. No industrial source was found that would cause foaming to continue for such
an extended period. The investigation found no evidence that the foaming was due to interference
or pass-through caused by an industrial wastewater discharger. There was no NPDES violation.
One-time Discharge Request in Vernon
On January 26 at 1126 hours consultant Julia Nussbaum from ARCADIS US in Santa Fe
Springs requested a one-time discharge approval on behalf of:
Soco West, Inc.
IW 20099
3270 E. Washington Bl.
Vernon 90023
1,000 gpd
Her request described how 3,000 gallons of process water became mixed with 200 gallons
of "system knock-out water". She requested that the facility be allowed to discharge the
impounded water at 4 gpm through their standard pretreatment system and then to their industrial
sewer connection. Bill Garrett reviewed the one-time discharge request and the attached analyses.
Soco West was approved to discharge the captured wastewater described in their request through
the facility's standard pretreatment system and sample box. IW Inspector Steve Wittmer
confirmed that the spilled material was handled appropriately at the site.
Sample Tampering in Compton
On January 26 IW Monitoring Crew Technician Albert Baldo notified Supervising
Inspector Fred Cannizzaro that upon his arrival at 1000 hours for sample pickup at:
Vista Coatings Inc. IW 12586
1118 W. Compton Bl.
Compton 90220
225 gpd
he found a 1.5" hose discharging tap water into the clarifier's second stage. He found another hose
by-passing the sampling probe and flowing into the 6" discharge line. Mr. Baldo notified the
facility contact Mr. Acuna that discharging water for the purpose of diluting industrial wastewater
was not permitted and he asked Mr. Acuna to remove the hoses.
IW Inspector Shawn Cleaver investigated the incident and issued a Notice of Violation to
the facility for discharging water for the purpose of diluting wastes that would otherwise exceed
maximum applicable concentration limits. The facility batch treats wastewater by adjusting the pH
and settling solids in dedicated tanks. The treated wastewater is pumped to the clarifier. The
facility contact claimed that an employee was using the hoses to clean out the clarifier. Inspector
Cleaver informed Mr. Acuna that flushing solids to the sewer was not an acceptable solids removal
procedure. He requested that the facility develop appropriate solids removal procedures and
retrain the pretreatment system operators. The corrective actions must be documented in the
facility’s response to the Notice of Violation.
White Foam and Elevated Influent COD at Pomona WRP
At 0900 on Wednesday January 26 TPO II Mike Nelson at the Pomona WRP called Bill
Garrett to report "detergent throughout the plant". Senior IW Inspector David Sanchez and
DOC# 1854568
Inspectors Anie Kellzi and Greg Neunsinger responded to the incident. White foam was visible at
the filters but defoamant added to the final effluent prevented the foam from being visible in the
creek. About 50% of the aeration tank surface showed white foam.
Inspectors checked the seven industrial facilities most likely to contribute to white foam at
the WRP but none of the facilities experienced any product losses, spills, treatment system
problems or unusual events that would generate white foam in the sewer or WRP. The inspectors
reviewed the WRP’s daily composite chemical oxidation demand (COD) lab data for plant influent
and noticed that the influent COD values have been more irregular with more frequently elevated
concentrations on some weekdays. Inspectors identified the facilities that may have increased their
COD discharges. These facilities will receive increased monitoring for high strength, high volume
and for discharges that could contribute to conditions that contribute to foaming at the WRP.
Floating Stones in DPW Pump Plant
On January 27 at 1008 hours DPW Supervising Inspector Joe Baiocco requested a joint
inspection at 13024 and 13012 S. Spring St in Los Angeles to determine the source of floating
rocks/stones that were interfering with the DPW’s Broadway Pump Plant by getting stuck in the
flapper check valve. The “rocks and stones” found in the pump plant were traced by DPW sewer
maintenance personnel to:
American Dye House
13042 S. Spring St.
Los Angeles 90061
IW 16616
102,400 gpd
This company is a garment stone washing and dyeing facility discharging industrial
wastewater to a local DPW sewer that conveys flow to the DPW pump plant. This pump plant
discharges to a segment of DPW sewer on Broadway that connects to the Sanitation Districts’
Main Street Extension Trunk at District 8 manhole 95 (see figure 2). There have been no reported
issues of similar debris accumulation in the Districts’ Main Street Trunk or Main Street Pump
Plant.
DOC# 1854568
FIGURE 2 SHOWS THE ROUTE OF THE FLOATING STONES FROM AMERICAN DYE
HOUSE TO DPW’S BROADWAY PUMP PLANT. THE CSD TRUNKS IN RED WERE NOT
IMPACTED.
Industrial Waste Inspectors Steve Sealy and Shawn Cleaver, in coordination with DPW
Environmental Programs Division Inspector Maria Baker, inspected American Dye House.
Improvements to the wastewater drainage trench system screening system previously required by
the DPW had already been implemented. An additional problem was discovered as a commercial
waste hauler was pumping out the company’s clarifier during the joint agency inspection. The
configuration of piping in the clarifier allowed floating material to short circuit the clarifier stages
and enter the sampling box and the downstream sewer line (see figure 3). The inspectors required
the facility to modify the clarifier by installing an elbow fitting between the last treatment stage of
the clarifier and the sampling box. This should prevent the buoyant pumice stone used in the stone
washing process from reaching the sewer. Follow up will be done at the facility to confirm that the
required modifications have been completed.
FIGURE 3 SHOWS THE FLOATING STONES IN THE SEPERATOR AT AMERICAN DYE
HOUSE.
Low pH at Pomona WRP
At 0753 hours on Saturday January 29 TPO I Mike Mulvihill called Bill Garrett to report
pH= 2.49 in the primary combined flow and pH=2.06 through the south line into the Pomona
WRP. IW Inspectors David Sanchez, Greg Neunsinger and Anie Kellzi inspected the ten
industrial facilities most likely to discharge acidic wastewater upstream of the south influent line to
the WRP and determined that the responsible party for the acidic discharge was:
Real Plating II
IW 17014
1980 S. Reservoir St.
Pomona 91766
DOC# 1854568
30,705 gpd
IW inspectors determined that the plating shop had discharged low pH material to the sewer
starting at about 0700 hours that morning. An employee was observed working inside an empty
1000-gallon capacity sulfuric acid anodize tank that had held spent sulfuric acid used in the
anodizing process. Two holding tanks (totes) with combined capacity of <600 gallons were used
to store the waste sulfuric acid. Investigators speculated that the 400 gallons of spent acid not
accounted for was discharged to the sewer. The pH monitoring system at the outfall of Real
Plating II showed a drop in pH to <2 during the incident (see figures 4 and 5). The employees
encountered on January 29 claimed that no material was discharged to the sewer but they could not
explain the low pH recorded on their monitoring equipment.
FIGURE 4 SHOWS ONE OF THE TOTES OF SPENT SULFURIC ACID AT REAL PLATING
THAT SHOULD BE TREATED OR HAULED OFF-SITE. THE BLUE TANKS IN THE
BACKGROUND ARE PART OF THE ON-SITE WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEM.
DOC# 1854568
FIGURE 5 SHOWS REAL PLATING’S INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER EFFLUENT PH
RECORDER WITH TWO HOURS OF PH VALUES SO LOW THAT THE READINGS ARE
OFF THE CHART.
A Notice of Violation was issued to Real Plating II for violation of the Ordinance:
discharging low pH material to the sewer and adversely impacting the operation of the WRP. As a
result of the findings of this investigation the US EPA and the County of Los Angeles Fire Dept.
Health Hazardous Materials Division requested a joint inspection be conducted at Real Plating II.
A multi-agency joint inspection at Real Plating was scheduled for February 10, 2011. At no time
during the initial investigation nor the follow-up did employees of Real Plating admit to
discharging material which could have caused the low pH found on the company’s monitoring
equipment. The Districts have asked the US EPA Criminal Investigation Division to assist with
the investigation and possible prosecution of Real Plating. Cost recovery for the investigation as
well as for impact on the Pomona WRP will be pursued.
DOC# 1854568
FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2011
Low pH Discovered at Industrial Facility in Carson
On Tuesday evening February 1 at about 2200 hours during a routine inspection IW
Inspector Andrew Hoekstra discovered pH=3.6 in the effluent sample box and several hours of
pH=4 recorded on the effluent pH meter at:
Coast Metals
IW 20326
417 W. 164th Street
Carson, CA 90248
16,600 gpd
Inspector Hoekstra took a sample of the off-spec wastewater, required that the company
correct their low pH violation and informed the facility operators that they were required to notify
the Districts whenever they released any wastewater to the sewer that exceeded the Districts’
discharge permit limits. Follow-up the next morning by day shift Inspector Bill Barnum revealed
that a series of treatment chemical delivery pump malfunctions had resulted in the off-spec
discharge. Although flow from the treatment system to the final clarifier and sample point was
shut down when treatment system operators discovered the pump failures, other waste streams
from the facility which by-pass the metals treatment system continued to flow to the clarifier. This
displaced low pH wastewater from the clarifier to the sewer for several hours. Facility operators
repaired the chemical feed pumps that caused the violations of effluent limits. Coast Plating’s
management notified Bill Garrett of the effluent violation as required. The low pH discharge is
believed to have had minimal impact on the sewerage system. The Inspectors issued enforcement
actions for the low pH discharge as well as for discharge of chromium to the sewer at 92.9 mg/l.
DTSC Referral for Truck Repair Yard in Vernon
On Thursday February 3 Nancy Carder of the California DTSC forwarded anonymous
complaint ID #8596 that they logged into their Cal EPA Online Complaint System as case #110211-0060. An informant alleged that chemical solutions used to clean diesel engines, as well as
oil, diesel fuel, antifreeze and other vehicle fluids were being discharged daily into a drain at the
end of a driveway from:
Dunbar Armored
4201 Ross St.
Vernon 90058
fid # 9245402
IW Inspector Greg Neunsinger inspected the site but he did not find any evidence that the
facility operators had discharged any fluids to the storm drain that is located near the entrance to
the facility or to the sanitary sewer. The company provided manifests from Asbury Environmental
Services that verified that they have properly hauled waste oil, waste filters and spent antifreeze to
an appropriate recycling facility. The contact claimed that vehicle wash water was not discharged
to the storm drain. The company was informed of the regulations regarding the use of the sanitary
sewer system as well as the storm drain system. The contact claimed that they have had several
inspections by the City of Vernon as well as by the Vernon Fire Department and that the facility
had implemented all corrective actions required by the city.
DOC# 1869361
Excessive Selenium Discharge Reported from Wilmington Refinery
On Friday February 4 at 1330 hours Consultant Katie Birge telephoned the Industrial
Waste Section to report an exceedance of the permit limit for selenium at:
Ultramar Inc dba Valero Wilmington Refinery
2402 E Anaheim St
Wilmington 90744
IW 16421
1.4 mgd
The refinery’s average total selenium for January 2011 was 3.43 lbs/day while their limit
for selenium to the sewer was 3.0 lbs/day. Selenium sampling is performed daily. Ms. Birge
speculated that the exceedance may have been caused by excessive rain in December 2010 which
prematurely loaded up the pretreatment system filters. Replacement filters were not installed until
the end of January 2011 due to delays in the shipment of the filters.
IW Inspector Shawn Cleaver reviewed the selenium exceedance with Ultramar/Valero
Operations Leader Jim Leary who is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the
refinery’s selenium treatment units. There are 18 vibratory sheer enhanced process (VSEP) units
used to remove selenides from the stripped sour water. Since their installation in 2007 the units
have had various mechanical and overall performance problems. He speculated that this particular
incident was caused by filter fouling due to contaminants introduced to the system by storm water
from process areas. These extra contaminants overburdened the system and compromised the
selenium treatment. Mr. Leary stated that the refinery’s engineering staff was working on ways to
improve the efficiency and overall operation of the VSEP units
Excessive Sulfide Discharged in the City Strip between Torrance/Carson
On February 4 EHS Manager Chris Gemgnani reported to IW’s Harry Mehta that a Self
Monitoring Report sample taken on January 21 had a sulfide level of 1.1 mg/l which exceeded the
Districts’ local limit of 0.1 mg/l limit at:
R R Donnelley & Sons Company
19681 Pacific Gateway Dr
Los Angeles 90502
IW 11113
3,200 gpd
IW Inspector Steve Sealy met with facility contact Steve Rodrigues and Chris Gemgnani
and initiated an enforcement action for excessive dissolved sulfide to the sewer. The Inspector
noted that the company was adding bleach to the oily wastewater tank upstream of the oil/water
separator. The Inspector suggested that facility operators reevaluate the current sulfide control
practice to improve treatment efficiency. Operators added bleach to the wastewater during the
inspection and reduced the concentration of dissolved sulfide to <0.1 mg/l.
Vapor Release in Cudahy
On Friday February 11 at 0936 hours the L A County Fire Dept responded to a vapor
release in Cudahy. They generated Cal EMA HazMat Spill Report control report # 11-0828 for:
General Testing and Inspections, Inc
8427 Atlantic Av
Cudahy 90201
IW 16849
7,500 gpd
This site is a metal testing facility that performs destructive and non-destructive testing on
aerospace parts. Their industrial wastewater discharge is from cleaning and etching metal parts.
The vapor cloud was generated when a hazardous waste hauler inappropriately mixed a 900-gallon
DOC# 1869361
batch of dilute ferric chloride/nitric acid with an 1800-gallon vat of spent concentrated
nitric/hydrofluoric acid. The exothermic reaction produced an orange cloud above the work area.
Workers were evacuated and an L A County Fire Health/HazMat team responded to the incident.
Fire fighters used a fog spray to disperse the vapors and they cooled the collected waste with
water. Liquid wastes were not released to the surface or to the sewer during the event. The
facility’s effluent pH was 8.4; the effluent pH recorder did not show any readings below pH 7 for
the past six days. All liquids involved in the situation, including those used to counteract the
reaction were collected and hauled off-site. The Liquid Waste Disposal Manifest showed the
destination for the load to be a treatment, storage and disposal facility in Beatty, Nevada.
Gasoline Odor in DPW Pump Plant in Carson
On Friday February 11 at 2030 hours Compton Superintendent Doug Walton called
Supervising IW Inspector Bill Garrett to report a gasoline odor in the area of a DPW Pump Station
in Carson on Recreation Road. Walton expressed concern for possible impact on both the local
sewers as well as the downstream Districts’ trunk that receives discharge from the pump station at
District 8 manhole 205A (see figure 1).
FIGURE 1 SHOWS THE DOMINGUEZ CHANNEL, THE DPW PUMP STATION AND THE
CONNECTION TO THE DISTRICTS’ TRUNK SEWER.
At 2130 hours on February 11 IW Inspectors Dave Lee and Andrew Hoekstra met Ocean
Blue clean-up contractor George Alvarez at the Dominguez Channel near the DPW Pump Station.
The cleanup crew had been on site 24/7 for three weeks since the fuel odors had become a
nuisance. Several floating booms and absorbent sponges were being used to skim the oil sheen
from the surface of the Dominguez Channel (see figure 2). The strongest odors were coming from
the roll-off bins that held the absorbent sponges saturated with petroleum skimmings. The
Inspectors took field readings for flammability at the pump station, the local sewers and the
Districts’ sewer; they did not find flammable conditions above 2% LEL at any of the locations
they checked. At 2253 hours on Friday night February 11 Bill Garrett sent a text to Doug Walton
saying that the responding IW Inspectors determined that there were no flammable conditions or
petroleum odors in either the DPW or the Districts' sewers that night.
DOC# 1869361
On Monday February 14 DPW conducted CCTV analysis and determined that there was
groundwater infiltration into some reaches of the DPW sewer. At higher tides a hydrocarbon odor
was detected in the sewer but LEL remained at 0%. The invert depth for the sewer is
approximately 20 feet from the ground level which is about the same elevation as the water in the
Dominguez Channel. IW Inspector Steve Sealy took sample 2011sj50494 of the infiltrating water
and submitted it to the laboratory for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon analysis. Results showed:
diesel range organics = 69 mg/l
gasoline range organics = 0.22 mg/l
oil range organics
= 41 mg/l
The relatively low concentration of gasoline range organics may explain why there was 0%
flammability detected in the field in spite of the hydrocarbon odor.
DPW and several other agencies will continue to search for the source of hydrocarbons that
are being released into the Dominquez channel, perhaps from a subsurface source in a localized
area south of the Carson St bridge. The sewer system is receiving trace quantities of hydrocarbons
due to infiltration near the channel but the flammability readings have consistently read 0% LEL.
FIGURE 2 SHOWS THE BOOMS INSTALLED IN THE DOMINGUEZ CHANNEL TO TRAP
AND REMOVE HYDROCARBONS THAT LEAKED INTO THE CHANNEL.
Illegal Stormwater Discharge in Carson
An informant contacted U S EPA and other agencies to report that his employer:
Sanyo Solar USA LLC
970 E. 236th St.
Carson 90745
DOC# 1869361
IW 16467
33,500 gpd
was regularly allowing pump seal water and various pollutants including fine silicon carbide
powder to enter the storm drain on the west side of their property. City of Carson Inspector Patricia
Elkins issued a clean-up order about July 2010. Several agencies scheduled a joint inspection for
Sunday December 26 at 0600 but no site inspection was performed since no off-site discharge
occurred on that day.
IW Inspectors Steve Sealy and Bill Barnum along with LA County DPW Inspectors Maria
Baker and Ramiro Mariano and City of Carson Storm Water Manager Patricia Elkins conducted an
inspection of Sanyo Solar on February 22. The inspectors did not find any evidence of surface
spills or inappropriate discharge to the storm drain. A minor house-keeping issue was noted in the
rear yard where some spillage was noted around totes containing cutting fluid. To satisfy a City
clean-up order issued last year the facility bermed a vacuum pump area but inappropriately
connected a sump pump to the industrial sewer connection without approval. Since the vacuum
pump area has a rainwater exposure greater than 400 square feet, the LA County DPW required the
company to submit a proposal for a rain water diversion system (RWDS). The company
subsequently installed the RWDS but without prior approval.
Sanitation Districts’ inspectors issued a verbal warning for installation of wastewater
conveyance equipment without approval. The Sanitation Districts sent the company an
enforcement letter on February 24 requiring that the facility submit a proposal to revise their
permit. The revision will address the new RWDS, insufficient solids removal equipment, the
greater than 25% increase in wastewater discharge volume, and the requirement to submit a flow
meter proposal since the flow is now greater than 50,000 gallons per day.
Excessive Foam and Elevated Dissolved Oxygen at the Lancaster WRP MBR
On Monday February 14 at 0900 hours and again on Wednesday February 23 at 0730 hours
TPO II Doug Jensen at Lancaster WRP telephoned Bill Garrett to report high foam and elevated
dissolved oxygen at the Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR).
These two incidents represent the latest in a series of infrequent, yet recurring, episodes of
foaming in the Lancaster WRP MBR unit. Similar incidents were reported in April 2008 and May
2009. IW inspectors were unable to locate any industrial sources that would contribute to the
foaming condition. The finding by Inspector Powell that the Lancaster State Prison PIA facility
had discharged wastewater from their detergent manufacturing operations on February 11 (3 days
prior to the report of foam in the MBR) is not necessarily indicative of the prison causing the foam,
especially since the WRP operators indicated that they didn't think the foam was caused by a
surfactant agent. One TPO suggested that the foaming was being caused by high ammonia or high
influent COD concentrations. WRP raw sample results indicated only normal COD levels.
Inspectors found no evidence of high concentrations of ammonia being discharged into the sewer
at any of the industrial sites they inspected. The cause and source of the foaming remains unclear.
Previous investigations of these MBR foaming incidents have included information
developed through article research by IW inspectors that the foaming may be caused by excessive
concentrations of the micro-organisms Microthrix Parvicella or Nocardia in combination with
weather effects, and the presence of slowly biodegradable surfactants, fats and proteins in the
wastewater being treated. Membrane cleaning techniques may also be a contributing factor. The
research indicated that excessive foaming is a common problem in MBR units which can be
difficult to control due to the typical operating parameters used at MBR's, specifically the long
solids retention times (SRT's) and high air addition rates.
DOC# 1869361
Sewer Blockage due to FOG in a DPW Line upstream of the Puente Trunk Sewer
On Wednesday February 16 at 1100 hours San Gabriel Yard Maintenance Supervisor Bill
Balas called Bill Garrett to report that a sewer blockage on a DPW line on 8th Avenue between
Valley Boulevard and Proctor Avenue was causing grease, debris and rags to accumulate at the
DPW connection to the Puente Trunk at District 15 manhole 38. A DPW maintenance crew
cleaned and removed grease and debris from their line until 1900 hours on February 15. Although
there was no blockage in the Districts' Puente Trunk, there was evidence of grease detected in the
Districts' sewer at 0700 on February 16. That sewer is cleaned quarterly due to the frequent
encounters with grease. Bill Balas noted that there was a poultry processing facility on the east side
of 8th Avenue that could be contributing to the grease in the sewer.
Investigation of the incident determined that the cause of the blockage was the discharge of
excessive amounts of fats, oil and grease (FOG) from:
J.T. Specialty Foods
218 S. 8th Avenue
La Puente 91746
IW 20557
2,400 gpd
This facility is a raw chicken deboning and processing operation located immediately upstream of
the sewer being impacted. This facility failed to install the standard 750-gallon, 3-stage grease
interceptor that they had proposed and the Districts had approved on September 9, 2010. IW
Inspector Anie Kellzi issued a Notice of Violation to the facility for failing to install the
interceptor. She will conduct follow-up inspections to insure the interceptor is installed as soon as
possible to prevent further blockages in the downstream sewers due to FOG.
Rust-Red Color at the Pomona WRP
On Tuesday February 22 at 1135 hours and again on Wednesday February 23 at 0830 hours
TPO II Mike Nelson called Bill Garrett to report that WRP operators saw strong rust-red color in
the WRP (see figure 3). Chlorination failed to remove the color. IW Inspectors David Sanchez,
Greg Neunsinger and Peter Carlstrom conducted 28 inspections to find the source of the strong red
color. After the second day of red influent the inspectors traced the color upstream to a local sewer
line on Thompson Creek Road in Pomona and finally to:
Med-Pharmex Inc.
IW 20864 (temporary permit)
2741 Thompson Creek Road
Pomona 91767
This facility is a veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturer and distributor. They do not
generate significant volumes of industrial wastewater except during unusual events. For the last
two days they had systematically been dumping thousands of small bottles of out-of-date, highly
red-colored "Iron Dextran Solution" into a sink in one of their warehouses. This product is
injected into piglets by farmers to insure that the piglets are not iron deficient. Inspectors
concluded that the discharge of this solution into the sewer was the sole cause of the red color
noted at the WRP. Med-Pharmex management complied with the inspectors’ request to
immediately halt the discharge of the iron-rich solution. Inspector Peter Carlstrom issued a Notice
of Violation for violation of section 406V of the Wastewater Ordinance - discharging material that
contributed to discoloration of wastewater or treatment plant effluent and for discharging industrial
wastewater without a permit. Facility operators agreed to file for a permit within 30 days and to
discontinue discharging strongly colored wastewater. There was no effluent color violation for the
Pomona WRP.
DOC# 1869361
FIGURE 3 SHOWS THE COLORED WASTEWATER COLLECTED FROM THE POMONA
WRP INFLUENT AT 1115 HOURS ON FEBRUARY 22.
Blue Color at the Whittier Narrows WRP
On Tuesday February 22 at 1335 hours Supervising TPO Clarence Scherich called IW to
report blue color in the Whittier Narrows WRP. Operators detected a strong blue color in the raw
influent at 1330 hours and by 1340 hours they routed the influent flow to the District 21
Interceptor in order to avoid receiving excessive blue wastewater into the WRP. By 1415 hours the
color was no longer evident in the raw influent line. No color was detected in the WRP effluent.
IW Inspectors Dave Lee, Andrew Hoekstra, Kent McIntosh and Andy Woods from the night crew
as well as Jim Percy and Jonathon Powell from the day crew inspected the fifteen industrial users
most likely to discharge blue color to the WRP but no definitive source was located. The final
effluent from the WRP was not discolored.
Inspectors determined that an upstream dye house that washes, dyes and finishes jeans had
the greatest potential to contribute to the blue color at the WRP but the facility did not admit to any
spills or unusual events and their dye records did not show any more blue-colored batches
processed than most days. Their discharge was purplish brown on February 22 and blue during a
follow-up on inspection on February 23. The inspectors cautioned the operators not to release
strong colors to the sewer and to maintain log books and discharge records of their batches for
review by inspectors.
One-time Discharge Approval Granted to BPOU Facility in Baldwin Park
On Friday February 25 Bill Garrett approved a one-time discharge request proposed by
AMEC Geomatrix Consultant Kevin Jennings to allow:
Baldwin Park Operating Unit (BPOU)
1695 Puente Av
DOC# 1869361
IW 17128
25,055 gpd
Baldwin Park 91706
to discharge 13,000 gallons of water from the LPVCWD Treatment Facility IW 17128. This
volume of water is from the backwash of single-pass resin and is currently being stored in a tank
on site. BPOU has submitted a permit revision application to the City of Baldwin Park for the
transition of their water treatment technology to a single-pass ion exchange. This permit revision
application includes the discharge of single-pass resin backwash; it has not yet been received by
the Districts. The discharge flow rate will be within the permitted limits of <165 gpm. The
company will schedule to have a self-monitoring report water quality sample collected for this
discharge.
Low pH at Pomona WRP (continuing investigation)
At 0753 hours on Saturday January 29 TPO I Mike Mulvihill called Bill Garrett to report
pH= 2.49 in the primary combined flow and pH=2.06 through the south line into the Pomona
WRP. IW Inspectors David Sanchez, Greg Neunsinger and Anie Kellzi inspected the ten
industrial facilities most likely to discharge acidic wastewater upstream of the south influent line to
the WRP and determined that the responsible party for the acidic discharge was:
Real Plating II
IW 17014
1980 S. Reservoir St.
Pomona 91766
30,705 gpd
IW inspectors determined that the plating shop had discharged low pH material to the sewer
starting at about 0700 hours that morning. An employee was observed working inside an empty
1000-gallon capacity sulfuric acid anodize tank that had held spent sulfuric acid used in the
anodizing process. Two holding tanks (totes) with combined capacity of <600 gallons were used
to store the waste sulfuric acid (see figure 4). Investigators speculated that the 400 gallons of spent
acid not accounted for was discharged to the sewer. The pH monitoring system at the outfall of
Real Plating II showed a drop in pH to <2 during the incident. The employees that the inspectors
questioned on January 29 claimed that no acidic material was discharged to the sewer but they
could not explain the low pH recorded on their monitoring equipment.
Inspectors issued a Notice of Violation to Real Plating II for violation of the Wastewater
Ordinance: discharging low pH material to the sewer and adversely impacting the operation of the
WRP. As a result of the findings of this investigation the US EPA and the County of Los Angeles
Fire Dept. Health Hazardous Materials Division requested a joint inspection be conducted at Real
Plating II.
A multi-agency joint inspection at Real Plating was conducted on February 10, 2011.
Participants included two Special Agents from the U S EPA, three Haz Mat Specialists from the L
A County Fire Department and three IW Inspectors lead by Senior IW Inspector David Sanchez.
At no time during the initial investigation nor the follow-up interviews on February 10 did the
shop owner or the employees of Real Plating admit to discharging material that could have caused
the low pH found on the company’s monitoring equipment. The Districts have asked the US EPA
Criminal Investigation Division to assist with the investigation and possible prosecution of Real
Plating. Cost recovery for the investigation as well as for impact on the Pomona WRP will be
pursued.
DOC# 1869361
FIGURE 4 SHOWS ONE OF THE TOTES OF SPENT SULFURIC ACID AT REAL PLATING
THAT SHOULD BE TREATED OR HAULED OFF-SITE. THE BLUE TANKS IN THE
BACKGROUND ARE PART OF THE ON-SITE WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEM.
Elevated Flammability at District 8 Manhole B18A
On February 2, 24 and 28 Supervising Engineering Technician Albert Steele at the
Compton Field Office telephoned Bill Garrett to report that a Compton Technician had detected
elevated LEL between 35% and 49% using an ATX LEL meter at manhole B18A. This manhole
is the connection point that receives over 5 MGD of treated wastewater from the BP Refinery.
To address the continuing elevated LEL conditions at this manhole a quarterly headspace
sampling program has been initiated to build on information collected in late 2010. The headspace
sampling will be confined to manhole B18A and will involve both a field LEL measurement and a
full hydrocarbon scan performed by the JWPCP laboratory. A concurrent wastewater sample will
be obtained at BP Products and analyzed for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (Modified 8015). A
field LEL measurement will also be made at the BP effluent vault. The nearest accessible
downstream manhole A920 will also be checked in the field for LEL. The first quarter sampling
effort is scheduled to occur by the end of March.
The configuration of the Districts’ receiving sewer may collect flammable gases at
manhole B18A which is located just upstream of a siphon. Since the elevated LEL at B18A is a
condition that exists only at that one manhole it may be appropriate for Compton Sulfide
Technicians to discontinue monitoring at this manhole and use an alternate location such as
manhole B920. If the elevated LEL at manhole B18A is determined by the Districts to be
unacceptable, then mitigating measures will need to be explored such as connecting BP’s industrial
wastewater flow to J O “A” or requiring further pretreatment at the refinery and imposing
additional discharge limits for the refinery. In February 2011 Bill Garrett discussed another option
with Wastewater Collections System Manager Sam Espinoza: there is a possibility that the
Districts could install a temporary trailer-mounted gas removal system over manhole B18A to
remove the flammable hydrocarbons and bill the refinery for all costs associated with that effort.
DOC# 1869361
Mr. Espinoza agreed to consider assigning one of his engineers to explore the feasibility and cost
of this option.
Elevated Flammability at Manhole B902 in Carson
On February 2, 7, 24 and 28 Compton Sewer Technicians found LEL levels between 40%
and 65% at manhole B902 during their routine checks at about 1330 hours at that manhole.
Supervising Technician Albert Steele forwarded the readings to Bill Garrett in IW for each
incident.
JWPCP Air Lab Supervisor Will McCully reported to Supervising Inspector Fred
Cannizzaro that the headspace gas sample submitted for the February 24 flammability incident
contained 2.6% methane. This concentration would account for virtually all of the 46% LEL
detected in that sample. Laboratory analyses of the headspace at this manhole have consistently
shown that the flammability is due predominantly to methane. It is unlikely that industrial
discharges are responsible for the elevated flammability at this manhole.
DOC# 1869361
FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2011
Odor Complaint in El Segundo
At approx 1600 hours on Tuesday March 1 Joanna Zuckerman called IW to report that
"noxious petroleum/chemical fumes" were entering into the bathroom and an adjacent room at her
place of business:
Siltanen & Partners Advertising
353 Coral Circle
El Segundo 90245
FID # 9244758
She claimed that the odors were making her sick. She also claimed that the odors have been off
and on for two years but have gotten worse with the cooler weather. She stated that her company is
located across the street from (see figure 1):
Brayton-Hodges Petroleum Inc
352 Coral Circle
El Segundo 90245
IW16612
12,700 gpd
FIGURE 1 SHOWS THE PROXIMITY OF THE TWO FACILITIES AND THE UPSTREAM
SEWER CONNECTION FROM BRAYTON-HODGES.
IW Inspector Kent McIntosh responded in the evening of March 1and Inspector Bill
Barnum followed up with a day inspection. An Inspector from the South Coast Air Quality
Management District as well as the City of El Segundo’s Environmental Safety Manager Steve
Tsumara also responded to Ms. Zuckerman’s odor complaint. IW Inspector Kent McIntosh issued
DOC# 1921593
a Notice of Violation to Brayton-Hodges Petroleum for discharge of industrial wastewater that
contained a soluble sulfide measurement of 2.6 mg/l which exceeded the Wastewater Ordinance
limit of 0.1 mg/l. The inspector believed that water in the oil producer’s well casings, tanks and
clarifiers had stagnated causing the high sulfide condition. Mr. McIntosh required that the
company cease discharge to the sewer until the excessive sulfides were treated to a concentration
that was below 0.1 mg/l. A follow up inspection on March 3 found that George Brayton’s
treatment actions had brought the discharge into compliance. Brayton-Hodges is the most likely
source of the odor detected by employees at Siltanen & Partners.
IW Inspectors informed President Tim Murphy of Siltanen that plumbing fixtures installed
according to state and local plumbing codes should keep sewer gases from entering inside
buildings. They advised Mr. Murphy to contract a licensed plumber to determine if the plumbing
is in good working condition. It is likely that either the roof air conditioning unit is pulling sewer
gases from the roof vent into the building (see figure 2) or even more likely that the sewer vent in
the wall between the women’s bathroom and the copier room has a leak. The company has
scheduled a plumber to inspect their sewers and vents.
FIGURE 2 SHOWS THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE SEWER VENT AND THE AIR
CONDITIONER INTAKE ON THE ROOF AT SILTANEN PARTNERS.
Fish Kill in King Harbor
On March 8 at approximately 1000 hours IW Inspector Bill Barnum responded to news
reports that millions of fish had died in King Harbor in Redondo Beach earlier that morning. Bill
went to the scene to interact with the incident commander and to determine if any sewer issues
may have played a part in the incident. Mr. Barnum checked the Districts’ Diamond Street,
Gertruda and Herondo Street Pump Plants and found that they were operating normally with no
evidence of any wastewater release and no fish in the wet well.
The fish kill appears to have been caused by mass suffocation of a densely packed school
of fish in a small shallow area of the harbor. The fish, which were mostly sardines, may have
DOC# 1921593
entered the marina the night before and clustered in the north harbor basin 1 (see figure 3) which is
furthest from the harbor opening, and is subject to reduced circulation. Department of Fish and
Game collected samples that determined there was no pollutant associated with the die off. The
harbor showed extremely low levels of dissolved oxygen. USC researches found toxic levels of
domoic acid in the fish which they theorize originated from an algal bloom offshore. Experts have
theorized that the large school may have been disoriented from the effects of the toxin and in
combination with the extremely high winds and rough seas the previous evening, became trapped
in the harbor, quickly consuming what little oxygen was available. A similar die-off happened as
recently as 2005. Investigation of that event ruled out any surface spill as a contributing factor.
Nearby Districts sewerage facilities were in good working condition (i.e. no spills) and the oxygen
depletion in the north end of the marina was not due to any sewer or surface spill. The city had
completed the cleanup by Sunday March 13 (see figure 4). They hauled 140 tons of fish to a
composter in Victorville; none of the fish were discharged to the sewer.
FIGURE 3 SHOWS THE FISH KILL LOCATION AND DISTRICTS’ SEWER LOCATIONS.
DOC# 1921593
FIGURE 4 SHOWS WORKERS COLLECTING DEAD FISH FROM KING HARBOR INTO A
CART IN ORDER TO HAUL THEM TO A COMPOSTING FACILITY.
Permit Revocation in Carson
On March 22, 2010 the Districts issued a temporary permit to:
MS Color Corp.
17155 Margay Av
Carson 90746
IW 20708
94,500 gpd
The Company violated the terms of the Wastewater Ordinance and its Temporary Permit
and failed to satisfy the judgment debts in the County Sanitation District No. 2 of Los Angeles
County v. M.S. Color Corporation, Los Angeles Superior Court Case Nos. BC406636 and
BC432724. Specifically the Company failed to pay surcharge owed to the Districts for treatment
of their industrial discharge to the sewer. The company was ordered to cease and desist all
discharge to the sewer and be prepared to have their sewer sealed if they did not meet all
requirements of their permit and pay past obligations by March 8, 2011.
On March 8 Senior IW Inspector Steve Sealy met with the company owner and reviewed
the outstanding enforcement issues with her. She had recently made a partial payment and
negotiated an extension with Rob Wienke to allow the company additional time to satisfy financial
obligations. Sewer sealing was scheduled for March 24. On March 23 Inspectors discovered that
the company had completely moved out of the facility and removed most of their production
equipment. The property owner confirmed that MS color had completely vacated the property. He
speculated that production operations had consolidated with a dye house in Gardena.
Boeing One-Time Discharge Permit for Boeing in Long Beach
On Wednesday March 9 EHS Manager Ron Fornator at Boeing requested to discharge 200
gallons of fire suppression water that consisted of water mixed with aqueous film forming foam
(AFFF) that was generated during a fire training exercise at:
DOC# 1921593
Boeing Company
IW 20860
3855 Lakewood Blvd
Long Beach 90808
Supervising IW Inspector John Boyd consulted with IW Project Engineer Brent Perry and
IW Permit Supervisor Linda Shadler to evaluate this request. On March 15 he issued a one-time
discharge permit to allow the discharge. Flow from this facility is tributary to the JWPCP.
Santa Clarita Groundwater Pump Station Flowmeter Malfunctions
On March 10 Sue Lynch with the City of Santa Clarita called IW Project Engineer Philip
Robeniol to report that the flow meter at one of their groundwater pump stations was not working
properly. IW Inspector Pat Cashen found issues to resolve at two of their groundwater pump
stations:
Nathan Hill Pump Station 1,200 gpd
18657 Nathan Hill Road
Santa Clarita 91351
Bakerton Pump Station 60,000 gpd
27807 Bakerton Av
Santa Clarita 91351
Site inspections at the pump stations revealed that there were several improvements that should be
made at the sites. At one of the stations the sample spigots should be relocated, access to the
sample vault was difficult, the flowmeter primary element was inaccessible and a sample pacing
socket should be installed. IW Inspector Pat Cashen issued a verbal warning to improve
maintenance at the pump stations. The sample locations will need to be modified to meet the
Districts’ standards.
Illegal Sanitary Waste Dump in Downey
On Monday March 14 Tom Maush of the Florence Meat Packing Co in Downey called IW
to report that he regularly saw vehicles at:
Leon Party Bus
9849 Everest St
Downey 90242
fid # 9245498
dump sanitary waste to the street in front of their property. IW Inspector Jessi Kerins investigated
the complaint, took several photos of the sanitary debris in the gutter near the facility and inspected
Leon Party Bus on March 18. She forwarded her findings the City of Downey Fire Department.
On Monday March 28 Lee Kirby from the City of Downey Fire Dept called Bill Garrett to
report that the City would take over investigation and enforcement for surface discharge from
Leon Party Bus to the street. There were several outstanding issues at the facility including
operating without a business license. He thanked IW Inspector Jessi Kerins for the referral and he
agreed to email his findings to her.
Helicopter Crash in el Segundo
On Sunday March 13th a helicopter that was being used to lift an HVAC unit crashed and
caused a fire in the southeast side of an office building at:
Raytheon Company IW 14735
2000 E. El Segundo Bl
El Segundo 90245
DOC# 1921593
194,400 gpd
The local Fire Department extinguished the blaze. Fire suppression water was captured and
conveyed to a Baker tank. On March 14 the company requested permission to dispose of the
captured water through their industrial wastewater sewer connection. The sample results from the
Baker tank showed that pH, metals, Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons, COD and SS were all within
acceptable limits for discharge to the sewer through the facility’s pretreatment system. On March
24 Inspector Bill Barnum verified that approximately 2700 gallons of firewater had been processed
through treatment and discharged to the sewer. The event was recorded in the facility’s
pretreatment system spill logbook as required. There was no impact on the Districts sewerage
system or JWPCP as a result of this incident.
Sewer Surcharging in Pomona
On Tuesday March 15 City of Pomona Wastewater Collection System Supervisor Norbert
Baldonado notified Rob Wienke that he had concerns regarding sewer surcharging in the city
sewer line immediately downstream of an industrial laundry:
Angelica Textile Services IW 3391 700 gpd
300 E. Commercial St.
Pomona 91767
The flows in the sewer have not overflowed into the street, but they have caused the water
level in the sewer to extend up into the manhole chimney. Baldonado suspected that the laundry
under-reported their wastewater discharge flow rates and contributed to the surcharging. IW
Inspector Peter Carlstrom accompanied the city sewer crews in their effort to find the cause of the
surcharging.
The laundry receives its incoming water from wells on their property. Based on water
usage and other documentation provided by Angelica Textile, it appears that the annual and daily
flows reported on their latest surcharge filing is accurate. The company does not have an effluent
flow meter, thus peak flow rate can only be estimated. The laundry’s flow rate is controlled by a
pump that delivers at a relatively constant rate. The investigators concluded that Angelica Textile
is not under reporting their wastewater discharge. The city’ sewer investigation continues.
Sewer Construction Permit Issues in Pomona
On March 15 City of Pomona Wastewater Operations Manager Jim Taylor contacted Rob
Wienke to request the Districts' assistance regarding enforcement actions for installation of an 18"
private sewer line that was installed without the City’s approval at:
California State Polytechnic University Pomona
3667 Valley Bl
Pomona 91768
fid 9241968
In October 2010 University officials met at JAO with Sanitation Districts' IW
representatives Suzanne Wienke and Philip Robeniol, John Kilgore and Mischelle Mische from
Planning and representatives from the City of Pomona to discuss a proposed groundwater
remediation project and the expired contract between Cal Poly and the Districts. Mr. Taylor
reported that the University installed the sewer without filing the requisite sewer building and
connection permit applications with the city. The 18" line connects to a 15" city lateral on Valley
Blvd. City sewer crews have reported moderate surcharging conditions in the city line downstream
of the new connection. Mr. Taylor has been unable to resolve permit issues in his contact with the
University's Director of Facilities Management, Mr. Mark Miller. Mr. Taylor suggested that the
DOC# 1921593
Districts consider using its authority to cite the University for failing to properly permit the new
sewer line.
On March 18 Engineering Technician Chosen Lompoc at the Districts’ Sewer Design
Section public counter and Andrea Smith reported that a search of Districts’ files did not find any
permit submittals for the University’s 18” line. The most recent information they were able to
locate were calendar 2000 sewer drawings for new lines in the vicinity of the Cal Poly student
housing area. The plans did not show any the 18 "sewer that was in question. Supervising
Engineer Rob Wienke determined that inspection of campus sewers and sources of wastewater
would be made prior to initiating any enforcement action. There may be inappropriate diversion of
storm water to the sewer from the swine area in the northeast sector of the University that is
contributing to sewer surcharging.
City of Torrance Pond Discharge Request
At 1400 hours on Tuesday March 15 Mr. Kim Hornbeck of the City of Torrance called the
Districts IW Section to request that the city be allowed to discharge approximately 117,000 gallons
of algae-laden pond water to the sewer to allow a city maintenance crew to repair cracks in the
pond’s concrete lining. The pond is located at:
Wilson Park IW 20435
2200 Crenshaw Blvd.
Torrance
In October 2008 a similar request from Torrance for this same pond was granted through
the issuance of a one-time discharge permit #20435 that expired on January 2009. On March 16
IW inspector Shawn Cleaver issued temporary permit IW 20877 to the City of Torrance to allow
discharge of pond water to the sewer.
Manifold Leak at the J O “C” surge Tower
At 1430 hours on Thursday March 17 2011 Districts’ Sewer Maintenance Superintendent
Doug Walton contacted the IW office to report that a Districts’ crew discovered water leaking
from a valve structure at the base of the J O “C” surge tower located adjacent to the Dominguez
Channel in Carson. Walton indicated that he believed that the leak was on the “west” line that
feeds the main pipe sending water to the tower. This pipe/valve manifold is not Districts’ property
and Walton requested the responsible party be contacted to respond to the leak.
Based on a similar incident in 2009 Supervising IW Inspector Fred Canizzarro asked Don
Medling from Praxair Inc. to meet night shift Inspector Andrew Woods at the surge tower to
develop corrective action for the leak. Inspection of the piping determined that the leaking valve
(see figure 5) was not owned by Praxair but instead belonged to:
Port of Los Angeles fid 9245560
425 Palos Verdes St
San Pedro 90731
A repair crew from the Port of Los Angeles replaced the relief valve by March 24; they
have a lock at the surge tower enclosure and are able to access their equipment for routine and
emergency service. Durable signs will be installed on the valves to insure proper identification
and a more timely notification if future repairs are required. Future repairs will be coordinated
with Districts’ Pump Plant Supervisor Jeff Masters.
DOC# 1921593
FIGURE 5 SHOWS THE AIR RELEAF VALVES AT THE J O “C” SURGE TOWER. ONLY
THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES VALVE ON THE RIGHT WAS LEAKING; THEY REPAIRED
IT PER IW REQUEST.
Sewer System Overflow in Signal Hill
On March 22 Compton Supervising CE Melissa Fischer reported to Rob Wienke that a
sewer system overflow (SSO) occurred on March 21 at District 29 manhole 91 in the City of
Signal Hill. The Districts' line-cleaning crew found soil and grit in the sewer when they cleared the
partial blockage. Contacts at two facilities reported wastewater backing up onto their properties:
Foasberg Cleaners IW 1648 28,000gpd
640 E. Wardlow Rd
Long Beach 90807
Weatherford Intl
3325 Lime Av
Signal Hill 90755
fid 9245508
oil well service
Foasberg Laundry is an industrial laundry with two sewer connections. A review of plot
plans by Inspector Juan Sanchez confirmed that a connection to the City of Long Beach Sewer on
Broadway Court conveys Foasberg’s industrial flow north to the city sewer on Wardlow Road then
east to a connection with the Districts’ 33rd St. Trunk at Falcon Avenue. The industrial flow in
this section of the city sewer had no impact on the SSO at District 29 manhole 91. Dye testing by
Districts’ Sewer Maintenance personnel confirmed that sanitary flow from a Foasberg office annex
at 3373 Lime Ave. is conveyed to the 33rd St. Trunk on Broadway Court. The SSO caused sewage
to back up into this facility. Mr. Sanchez advised Foasberg Laundry that the Districts might require
a permit and backflow prevention device for the connection to the 33rd Street Trunk.
Weatherford International, an oil well service company, occupies the parcel at 3325 Lime
Street. Dye testing confirmed that yard drains in a paved area on the property are connected via a
lateral line to the 33rd St. Trunk on Broadway Court. Inspector Sanchez required Weatherford to
seal both drain inlets because they had the potential to contribute storm water to the sewer.
Stormwater from this facility may have contributed to the SSO on March 22 at District 29 manhole
91. (See figure 6).
DOC# 1921593
The City of Signal Hill formerly operated and maintained the sewers in Signal Hill. A
single receipt dating from 1947 for the 3373 Lime Ave. Foasberg Laundry office annex connection
to the City of Signal Hill sewer on Broadway Court was found in the City records. No back-flow
valve requirement or other specifications are mentioned in this document. The City has no records
of permits for any other connection to this sewer. Inspectors found no additional information at the
Districts’ Public Information desk regarding any permitted sewer connections to the 33rd St. Trunk
from parcels along Broadway Court.
A CCTV survey of the 33rd Street Trunk showed some minor damage and open connections
within the 33rd St. Trunk on Broadway Court. There has been new commercial construction (Fresh
and Easy supermarket) on land just north of 33rd St between Broadway Ct. and Atlantic Avenue.
Sewer connections for the new Fresh and Easy complex extend west to the City of Long Beach
sewer on Atlantic Avenue. The contractor on site told IW Inspector Sanchez that this land formerly
contained oil leases and housing. Additional development of land for parking is underway on the
east side of Broadway Court. Inspector Sanchez could not determine if this land contained active
sewer laterals in the past.
FIGURE 6 IS THE AREA AROUND THE SSO AT DISTRICT 29 MANHOLE 91. RED
SLASHES SHOW NEW CONSTRUCTION AREAS.
No single source for the debris in the 33rd St. Trunk on Broadway Court was discovered.
There is a lack of detailed historical references for sewer connections to this section of trunk. Due
to the extensive redevelopment in the immediate area, it is possible, though not confirmed, that
demolition of old sewer laterals and excavation around them may have provided a route of entry
for sand and soil. IW Supervising CE Rob Wienke is exploring the extent to which active direct
connections to the 33rd St. Trunk on Broadway Court may need permitting and/or special
requirements for back-flow prevention devices.
DOC# 1921593
Flammability in the Marina Relief Trunk in Long Beach
On March 24 Thursday at 1018 hours Supervising Engineering Technician Albert Steele at
the Compton Field Office reported to IW that at 0930 hours Compton technicians detected 67%
LEL using an ATX LEL meter at District 3 manhole 505 on the Marina Relief Trunk, Section 3.
Senior IW Inspector Juan Sanchez. and Night Inspector Andrew Hoekstra investigated the
incident. Inspectors investigated the two facilities most likely to discharge wastewater that could
contribute to flammable conditions in that sewer:
LCW Oil IW 20496 546,000 gpd
6433 E. 2nd St
Long Beach 90803
and
Termo IW 12289 81,000 gpd
6301 E. Pacific coast Highway
Long Beach 90803
On March 24 flammability over the headspace at each of the oil fields’ industrial outfalls
was <5% LEL. Water analyses showed that LCW had 0.337 mg/l methane in water however
Termo’s discharge showed 3.22 mg/l of methane in water which could allow evolution of methane
gas in the sewer headspace if there were significant turbulence in the sewer. Tighter permit limits
for methane in water were recommended for Termo. Headspace analyses for the Marina Pump
Plant wet well and for the Marina Relief Trunk section 3 have been scheduled for April to
determine if methane is the predominant hydrocarbon contributing to flammability conditions in
that sewer.
Senior Electrical and Instrument Technician Reginald Long reported that the installation of
the “remote shutdown” system was now in place at LCW Operations. Districts’ E&I Technicians
are scheduled to conduct an instrument test of the system quarterly. Tests conducted so far have
shown the system to be operating as designed. A “full shutdown” test has not been performed due
to the heavy financial burden that it incurs to LCW.
Surface Spill in the City of Industry
On Friday March 25 at 1555 hours Environmental Health and Safety Officer Nosario
Jauregi notified Bill Garrett that a surface spill occurred at his facility at:
WhiteWave Foods
IW 20388
18275 Arenth Av
300,000 gpd
Supervising IW Inspector Dave Lee responded to the incident but did not find any
remaining evidence that a spill had occurred at the facility. The spill was from a dilute milk
product and some chemicals that overflowed a below ground sump located in a parking lot. The
cause of the spill is believed to be a blocked pump discharge line. Facility workers collected the
spilled liquid and kept it from leaving the property. The industrial wastewater treatment system
functioned properly during this release. There was no impact on the sewer system or the street or
storm drain.
Oil Release in Inland Empire
On March 24 at 1100 hours Duffy Exon called Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA)
Senior Inspector Martyn Draper to self-report an unintentional release of oily water to the IEUA
non-reclaimable waste line (NRWL) that flows to the Districts' sewer at the East End and Grand
Avenue connection. The release was from:
Union Pacific Railroad
19100 E. Slover Rd
DOC# 1921593
IW 20268
8,500 gpd
Bloomington 92316
Districts' IW Inspector Peter Carlstrom conducted a joint inspection with IEUA Inspector
Martyn Draper on March 25. The inspectors met the clean-up crew who were cleaning portions of
the 3+ mile long private sewer that was contaminated with oil. The oil was pumped to a rented
tank and then hauled offsite by United Pumping. The IEUA inspector issued a Notice of Violation
and an Order for Corrective Action to the railroad for improper operation of their pretreatment
equipment. The railroad must cease and desist discharging to the NRWL until their private line
and their pretreatment system is cleaned and re-inspected. The railroad must also submit a report
describing their corrective action and attend a “Show Cause” meeting with IEUA on March 30,
2011. There was not any evidence that the oil reached the Districts’ sewer.
Resin Odor at the Vesta St Pump Plant
At 1900 hours on Wednesday March 30 Pump Plant Operator Mike Ruhland notified Bill
Garrett that while performing routine rounds Randy Bones encountered a "strong resin" odor at the
Vesta St. pump plant in Inglewood.
As part of this investigation Inspectors Dave Lee and Fred Cannizzaro found that
equipment upgrade work was in progress at the Vesta Street pump plant during the month of
March. Part of the project involved lining the pump plant force main from the pump plant to
District 5 manhole 337 with a resin-impregnated steam-cured lining material (see figure 7). This
force main work was completed by March 30. There was no flow in the force main due to the ongoing work at the pump plant. On March 31 IW Inspectors verified with a contractor on site that
the force main had been relined earlier in the week. A resin odor was still detectable at manhole
337. IW Inspectors obtained a headspace gas sample at that location. Results of the analysis
performed at the JWPCP Air Lab showed a very high concentration of Styrene (1000 mg/l).
Styrene is a major component of the resin used in the lining process. Styrene at elevated levels in
sewer headspace was associated in 2010 with odors at Los Coyotes WRP during the rehabilitation
of the Los Coyotes Interceptor.
DOC# 1921593
FIGURE 7 SHOWS WHERE THE ODOR WAS DETECTED, THE FORCE MAIN AND THE
VESTA ST PUMP PLANT.
Cerritos Industrial User Low pH Discharge
On March 29 at 1100 hours during a routine sampling event IWMC Technician Robert
Wiersma measured a pH of 2.45 with an Exstik field pH meter at:
T. Hasegawa USA Inc.
14017 E 183rd Street
Cerritos, CA 90703
IW011833
8,000 gpd
IW Inspector Neil Tran investigated the low pH excursion. Operators at the site could not
explain what caused the low pH condition. The IWMC recorded a pH of 11.5 on the composite
sample for the preceding 24 hours. The company contact reported to Inspector Tran that his
testing earlier that morning indicated a pH of 9.5. Inspector Tran issued a Notice of Violation to
the company for exceedance of the Sanitation Districts' lower pH limit (6.0) and the EPA limit
(5.0). Further investigation will be needed to determine the cause of the exceedance and what
corrective action will be required.
On March 21 and 28 Supervising Engineering Technician Albert Steele at the Compton
Field Office telephoned Bill Garrett to report that a Compton Technician had detected elevated
LEL =31% using an ATX LEL meter at manhole B18A. This manhole is the connection point that
receives over 5 MGD of treated wastewater from the BP Refinery.
On May 30 IW Inspector Steve Sealy measured LEL=34% at manhole B18A. He
measured LEL=19% at the BP refinery sampling point and submitted a refinery effluent water
sample to the SJCWQ Lab for modified 8015 scan for total petroleum hydrocarbons. The results
showed:
Diesel range organics
12 mg/l
Gasoline range organics
6.4 mg/l
Oil range organics
1.5 mg/l
The nearest accessible downstream manhole B920 showed 0% LEL.
The configuration of the Districts’ receiving sewer may collect flammable gases at
manhole B18A which is located just upstream of a siphon. Since the elevated LEL at B18A is a
condition that exists only at that one manhole it may be appropriate for Compton Sulfide
Technicians to discontinue monitoring at this manhole and use an alternate location such as
manhole B920. If the elevated LEL at manhole B18A is determined by the Districts to be
unacceptable, then mitigating measures will need to be explored such as connecting BP’s industrial
wastewater flow to J O “A” or requiring further pretreatment at the refinery and imposing
additional discharge limits for the refinery.
On March 8 at 1002 hours Compton Sewer Technicians found LEL=32% at manhole B902
during a routine check. JWPCP Air Lab Supervisor Will McCully reported to Supervising
Inspector Fred Cannizzaro that the most recent headspace gas sample submitted for manhole B902
on February 24 contained 2.6% methane. This concentration would account for virtually all of the
46% LEL detected in that sample. Laboratory analyses of the headspace at this manhole have
consistently shown that the flammability is due predominantly to methane. It is unlikely that
industrial discharges are responsible for the elevated flammability at this manhole.
DOC# 1921593
FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2011
Excessive Debris in the Florence Av Trunk
On Tuesday April 5 at 1515 hours San Gabriel Yard Supervising Technician Bill Balas
called Bill Garrett to request that an IW Inspector meet Lead Man Alex Gomez and the sewer crew
at District 18 manhole 441 on the Florence Avenue Trunk at Koontz Avenue. The sewer crew
encountered excessive debris in the sewer downstream of the connection from Lakeland
Development Company.
Senior Maintenance and Construction Worker Alex Gomez told Supervising Inspector
Dave Lee that the solids encountered were limited to the length of pipe from district 18 manhole
441 to 443 which is located at Norwalk Blvd. There were no excessive solids or other material
found east of manhole 444.
On April 6 Compton CCTV Supervising Technician Froilan San Miguel reported to Bill
Garrett that per the April 5 CCTV inspection the sewer crown is in good shape. The debris is
below the water level; the blockage was estimated to be 10% of the sewer capacity. Previous
sewer cleaning events in this vicinity showed:
2009 - cleaned from D18 1093 (start of this sewer) to manhole 434A without
encountering significant debris.
2008 - 1/4 cubic yard removed at manhole 435-434
2005 - 2 cubic yard debris at manhole 448-446
2005 - 1/2 cubic yard sand manhole 1093 to 451
5 cubic yards grit at manhole 451-448
2 cubic yards debris at manhole 436-434
The City of Santa Fe Springs contracts out sewer cleaning and maintenance activity to the
County Department of Public Works. DPW Maintenance Supervisor, Mike Garcia stated that the
local lines on Norwalk Bl north of Florence Av had not been cleaned within “the past year or so”.
He said that he has not received any reports of excessive debris in these particular sewer lines from
his field crews. Districts IW Inspectors detected no accumulation of debris upon examining local
sewer conditions at manholes immediately upstream from points of connection to the Florence Av
Trunk at Norwalk Bl.
Inspectors noted a large residential development on the land bordered by Telegraph Rd and
Clark St on the north and south, and Bloomfield Av and Norwalk Bl on the east and west (see
figure 1). New streets and sewers have been constructed on this land to accommodate the
development. According to Tom Hall with the City of Santa Fe Springs, remediation of the land
began in 2005, followed by street and sewer infrastructure, then home construction in 2009. Some
oil production wells are still operating within the boundary of the newly developed area, but brine
water generated by the wells is treated and re-injected subsurface near the sites. New sewers on
this property connect to local lines that flow to the Florence Av Trunk upstream of District 18
manhole 441.
Several companies were inspected in response to the debris found in the Florence Avenue
Trunk, but inspectors could not attribute the accumulation of soil, rocks and debris to an industrial
DOC# 1956397
source. It is suspected that the ammonia-like odor reported during the course of the Districts’
sewer maintenance crew activity on the trunk was due to industrial discharge from Lakeland
Development Company. Preliminary analytical results indicate that this company exceeded their
permitted effluent Total Toxic Organics limit; they could be subject to enforcement action.
FIGURE 1 SHOWS THE AREA NEAR DISTRICT 18 MANHOLE 441 WHERE ROCKS,
DEBRIS AND BLACK SOIL WERE ENCOUNTERED IN THE SEWER.
Sink Hole on the Belmont Peninsula
On Wednesday April 6 at 1230 hours DPW Flood Control's Win Naing called IW's
Suzanne Wienke to report a sinkhole on Ocean Bl at 63rd Pl on the Belmont Peninsula in Long
Beach. DPW planned to use marker dye to trace the sinkhole path and they were concerned that
the dye would be undesirable at the dry weather diversion pump plant. Ms Wienke recommended
that the dry weather diversion structure continue to receive surface flow from this incident.
DPW used marker dye at the sinkhole, but according to Foreman Tom Rabago at L A
County DPW’s Alamitos Yard an employee stationed at the diversion structure sump for three
hours during the dye testing did not observe any dye at the diversion structure. The sinkhole was
caused by a deteriorated pipe that collapsed upstream of the main storm drain on 63rd Pl. The two
and a half feet deep sinkhole was rehabilitated by April 13, 2011. Three cubic feet of debris was
removed from the sump at the dry weather diversion station but Mr. Rabago said that this was not
an unusual accumulation for that sump. The sanitary sewer was not impacted.
Bakery Spill to the Sewer in Montebello
On Tuesday April 12 at 1155 hours Environmental Coordinator Elias Muniz called Bill
Garrett to report that at about 2200-2300 hours last night 500 gallons of 50% propylene glycol
food grade liquid was released to the sewer due to a hose failure at:
Bimbo Bakeries
480 S. Vail Av
DOC# 1956397
IW 16303
41,300 gpd
Montebello 90640
The glycol solution is used in the refrigeration, freezing and cooling compression system.
The spill occurred at one of the mixers in the upstairs production area. IW Inspector Jonathon
Powell investigated the incident. He determined that the glycol release was an isolated event and
that the Bakery took appropriate corrective action to reduce the likelihood of similar spills
reoccurring in the future. Mr. Elias submitted a list of corrective actions to the Districts that
included additional employee training for Leak Detection Awareness, bi-weekly hose inspections
and a re-evaluation of level controls.
Odor Complaint in Torrance
On Wednesday April 13 Supervising Inspector Dave Lee received a call from Mr. Richard
Beauvil complaining that the odors in the women’s restroom area first reported in April of 2009
had recently reoccurred at his facility:
Emax Laboratories
INV #10172
1835 205th Street
Torrance, CA 90501
This facility is connected to the District 5 Main Trunk via a local sewer line. As a result of
previous odor reports in 2010 the Districts have sealed manholes along the D5 Main and installed
carbon canisters at several of the manholes. The City of Torrance also sealed manholes on several
reaches of local sewer in the area. The ExxonMobil Oil refinery is the largest industrial discharger
to the D5 Main Trunk and is the primary source of the distinctive hydrocarbon odor normally
present in this sewer. An inspection of the refinery on April 13th found normal wastewater
discharge conditions and no unusual airborne odors in the vicinity.
IW Inspector Shawn Cleaver interviewed Mr. Beauvil regarding the most recent odor
report and checked conditions at his facility. Mr. Beauvil stated that employees detected a
chemical odor only in the women's restroom, and that it was the same odor that occurred a year
ago in the same part of the building. After the restroom was aired out and the p-traps filled with
water the odor dissipated. Mr. Beauvil reported no further odors in the weeks after the April 13th
event.
Plastic Straps at the JWPCP Headworks
On April 19 Tuesday at 1242 hours JWPCP Supervising TPO II John Dyer called Senior
IW Inspector Steve Sealy to report that white plastic packaging straps have been recovered every
day over a period of one week from the bar screens at the J.O."B" Headworks (see figure 2).
Upon close examination of the strapping material IW Inspector Shawn Cleaver recognized
it as ¾ inch longitudinal seam tape used in some Cured In Place Pipe (CIPP) liners in smaller trunk
lines. Compton Supervising Engineering Technician Froilan San Miguel examined the tape and
concurred with this assessment. Over time the tape can detach from the sewer crown. CCTV
inspections of sewers having CIPP liners sometimes show this type of tape shredding from the
pipes. According to Mr. San Miguel, its detachment from the liner surface does not compromise
the integrity of the liner itself. Examples of this phenomenon can be seen in archived CCTV
inspection videos showing hanging tape in several reaches of sewers. According to JWPCP
operations, this tape material continues to intermittently appear at the bar screens.
A copy of this investigation will be forwarded to JWPCP Operations as well as Compton
Sewer Maintenance so that the two parties can determine how to deal with the CIPP liner tape.
DOC# 1956397
FIGURE 2 SHOWS THE PLASTIC STRAPS RETRIEVED FROM THE J O “B” HEADWORKS
ON APRIL 19.
Supervising Engineering Technician Albert Steele at the Compton Field Office telephoned
Bill Garrett to report that a Compton Technician had detected elevated LEL =37% on April 5 at
1155 hours and LEL=30% on April 11 at 1206 hours using a hand-held ATX explosimeter at
manhole B18A during routine checks on their sulfide/LEL route. This manhole is the connection
point that receives over 5 MGD of treated wastewater from the BP Refinery.
The most recent lab analyses for the BP oil refinery was on March 30 when Senior IW
Inspector Steve Sealy measured LEL=34% at manhole B18A. He measured LEL=19% at the BP
refinery sampling point and submitted a refinery effluent water sample to the SJCWQ Lab for
modified 8015 scan for total petroleum hydrocarbons. The results showed:
DOC# 1956397
Oil range organics
12 mg/l
6.4 mg/l
1.5 mg/l
The JWPCP Air Group analyzed a headspace sample over manhole B18A on the same day and
found the largest concentrations of organic compounds in the Districts’ manhole to be:
Benzene
Toluene
m+p-Xylenes
o-Xylene
Ethylbenzene
1,2-Butadiene
Chloroform
4.9 ppm
3.6 ppm
2.8 ppm
9.7 ppm
5.2 ppm
17 ppm
3.8 ppm
The nearest accessible downstream manhole B920 showed 0% LEL. The configuration of
the Districts’ receiving sewer may collect flammable gases at manhole B18A which is located just
upstream of a siphon. Since the elevated LEL at B18A is a condition that exists only at that one
manhole it may be appropriate for Compton Sulfide Technicians to discontinue monitoring at this
manhole and use an alternate location such as manhole B920. If the elevated LEL at manhole
B18A is determined by the Districts to be unacceptable, then mitigating measures will need to be
explored such as connecting BP’s industrial wastewater flow to J O “A” or requiring further
pretreatment at the refinery and imposing additional discharge limits for the refinery.
Supervising Engineering Technician Albert Steele at the Compton Field Office telephoned
Bill Garrett to report that a Compton Technician had detected elevated LEL on three dates in April
using a hand-held ATX explosimeter at manhole B902 during routine checks on their sulfide/LEL
route:
April 11 at 1310 hours LEL=34%
JWPCP Air Lab Supervisor Will McCully reported to Supervising Inspector Fred
Cannizzaro that the most recent headspace gas sample submitted for manhole B902 on February
24 showed a field LEL=46% while analysis of “Total Permanent Gasses” showed:
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Argon
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Total Permanent Gases
2.97 % v/v
2.33 % v/v
0.91 % v/v
75.7 % v/v
16.8 % v/v
98.7 % v/v
The concentration of methane would account for virtually all of the 46% LEL detected in that
sample. Laboratory analyses of the headspace at this manhole have consistently shown that the
flammability is due predominantly to methane. It is unlikely that industrial discharges are
responsible for the elevated flammability at this manhole.
DOC# 1956397
FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2011
Milky Blue Color in the Old River School Trunk in Pico Rivera
On May 4 at 0715 hours Compton Supervising Technician Bill Balas called Bill Garrett to
report that on May 3 at 1240 hours a sewer technician discovered milky blue wastewater at District
2 manhole 824 on section 3 of the Old River School Road Trunk Sewer on sheet 24 of the
maintenance map. Senior IW Inspector Juan Sanchez retrieved the grab sample from Mr. Balas.
The sample had a pH of 8.0 and had a milky white appearance with a slight blue tint; it had no
unusual odors, floating oil or grease or other uncommon characteristics.
IW Inspector Jessi Kerins inspected seven industrial facilities upstream of the manhole that
had the unusual wastewater. None of the facilities were discharging wastewater that matched the
description of the sample taken by the Districts’ maintenance crew. There were not any spills,
process upsets, product losses or unusual events discovered during any of the inspections.
Portable Toilet Dumping in Unincorporated Los Angeles
On Thursday May 5 at 1055 hours an anonymous informant called Bill Garrett to report
that his neighbor routinely dumped portable toilet waste at the front of their property that flowed to
the street. The informant said that the business owner of the facility was "Paul" at:
A+ Portable Services Inc.
417 W 129th Street
Los Angeles 90061
DOC# 1956292
facility ID 9245551
FIGURE 1 SHOWS AN AUTO BODY SHOP ON THE LEFT AND A PORTABLE TOILET
STORAGE YARD ON THE RIGHT (IN GREEN) THAT ARE PROBABLE SOURCES OF
INAPPROPRIATE RUNOFF TO THE STREET.
IW Inspector Shawn Cleaver found the A+ Portable Services site to be a small dirt lot used
to store portable toilets and park a 500-gallon vacuum truck. Site contact Paul Segovia stated that
the company is based in Riverside and that this lot is a satellite storage yard. There was a small
amount of runoff from the lot into the street but it appeared to be too clear to be sanitary waste.
There was a hose bib and hose onsite that the contact said was used for rinsing the truck. It was
obvious, however, that the hose was also being used to rinse off the outside of the portable toilets
since there were small puddles of water around the units. Inspector Cleaver advised Mr. Segovia to
eliminate the flow of any liquid from the lot into the street except for storm water.
The lot to the west of A+ Portable Services (see figure 1) is a storage area for construction
equipment. The lessee of this property, Ranulfo Perez, stated that he had seen liquid flowing from
the alley to the west that had a chemical odor. He said that the liquids came from an auto body
shop located on Figueroa that has a rear gate opening to the alley. An inspection of the alley
revealed a trail of etched concrete from the rear of the auto body shop to 129th street. The auto
body shop as well as the portable toilet storage yard were referred to the Department of Public
Works for inappropriate discharge to the street. The Districts’ IW Inspector did not find any
violations of the Wastewater Ordinance at either facility.
Fire and Explosion at Food Company in Huntington Park
On Monday May 9 at 0600 hours ABC TV news channel 7 reported a fire and explosion at:
Golden Tiger Foods IW 14207
6711 Alameda St.
Huntington Park
29,600 gpd
Inspectors Steve Sealy and Shawn Cleaver responded to the incident and checked in with Incident
Commander/Fire Chief Bennett. Hazardous Materials Specialist for the Los Angeles County Fire
Department Dierdre Williams stated that the fire began at approximately 0530 hours and was still
burning at 0930 hours (see figures 2 and 3). Ms. Williams stated that company representatives told
her that no hazardous chemicals were on site.
FIGURE 2 IS A NEWS PHOTO OF THE FIRE AT GOLDEN TIGER FOODS ON MAY 9.
DOC# 1956292
Inspectors Sealy and Cleaver spoke to Maintenance Supervisor Javier Gonzales of Golden
Tiger. Mr. Gonzales speculated that the fire might have started in the boiler room. His staff
investigated an explosion and found that the boiler room was ablaze and the walls were knocked
down. He stated that the company had only food-related items in the building and that cooking
oils would be the greatest concern for the sewer. He stated there was approximately 10,000 pounds
of cooking oil in 2 different tanks. He was not sure if the oil had burned or if it was released to the
sewer. Clean-in-place chemicals were stored outside the building and were not affected by the fire.
FIGURE 3 IDENTIFIES THE BUILDINGS AND THE INDUSTRIAL SEWER CONNECTIONS
FOR GOLDEN TIGER FOODS.
Refrigeration systems contained either nitrogen or Freon as coolant. There was no
ammonia on site. The fire did not affect waste machine oils and other waste drums stored outside
the building. Most of the firewater flowed directly to the storm drain system. The Inspectors were
unable to safely access the IW effluent sampling location for the company. The Inspectors notified
JWPCP operations that there was a small possibility of a COD spike or floating oil later in the day
at the plant via the J O "B" sewer. There were no reports that the sewers or Districts’ facilities were
noticeably impacted by this incident.
Effluent Turbidity Violation ay Los Coyotes WRP
On May 10 at 0330 hours on Tuesday morning Supervising TPO Craig Dering called Bill
Garrett to report that the Los Coyotes WRP secondary turbidity had been 2 NTU at 2330 hours and
then deteriorated to "off the chart" elevated turbidity readings as the evening passed.
Fred Cannizzaro and Barbara Jenkins responded to the incident immediately; the remainder
of the Los Coyotes team of inspectors joined the investigation at 0700 hours. Craig Dering and
Fred Cannizzaro agreed that the incident was unlike color incidents that the WRP occasionally
experienced; the secondary tank effluent was extremely turbid like "untreated wastewater". There
DOC# 1956292
was some visible floc in the secondary tanks but no rising or bulking sludge. There were no colors,
odors, pH changes, or change in dissolved oxygen concentration as the turbidity rose.
As a precautionary strategy operators decreased influent flow and increased the dissolved
oxygen concentration and the chemical dosage as the incident progressed. Speculation is that the
operational increase in air rate enhanced development of filamentous Nocardia bacteria and the
heavy brown foam that was observed in the aeration tanks (see figure 4). Higher levels of polymer
used in the attempt to increase solids settling may have contributed to the white foam observed in
the secondary effluent channels.
By early evening on May 10th plant operators reported to inspectors that plant flow had
been increased to a normal level (37 MGD) and the treatment process appeared to be returning to
normal. Secondary and final turbidity trends were downward, and by midnight the secondary and
final turbidities were 1.6 NTU and 0.9 NTU respectively. The treatment plant recorded a final
effluent turbidity violation at 3.0 NTU as a result of the May 10, 2011 upset.
IW Inspectors investigated approximately forty industrial facilities in their effort to
discover a source of wastewater that could have contributed to the treatability issues at the WRP.
No evidence was discovered that would indicate a slug release of toxic or high strength industrial
wastewater from the facilities that they inspected.
FIGURE 4 SHOWS THE DENSE BROWN FOAM IN THE AERATION TANKS AT LOS
COYOTES WRP AFTER THE TURBIDITY
Ammonia and COD levels for the primary effluent buckets corresponding to the estimated
time frame for effects noted in the secondary tanks were analyzed at the LCWRP Lab. Ammonia
levels were within the normal range. COD for buckets 2 and 3 were normal, but bucket #4 (1800 –
2200 hrs) had a COD about 32% higher than the normal value for that daily time period.
Primary effluent composite bucket samples (2, 3, 4) and a primary grab for the period associated
with the onset of the high turbidity condition, were analyzed at the SJC laboratory for heavy
DOC# 1956292
metals, potentially toxic organic compounds (GC/MS) and fish mortality (Acute Toxicity Scan).
Heavy metals were near or below analytical detection limits. The predominate peaks found by the
GC/MS scan were for hexadecanoic (palmetic) and octadeconoic (stearic) acid. Both of these
compounds are common in wastewater and are constituents of vegetable based and animal based
oils respectively. The amounts of these constituents were somewhat higher in the grab than in the
bucket samples. No constituents having known toxicological significance were detected. The
results of the fish bioassay indicated a toxic effect somewhat in excess of what would be expected
for a sample with ammonia as the primary contaminant (the ammonia level was within normal
range for LC primary effluent). The LC50 was 35.4% (50% mortality at a primary effluent
concentration of 35.4%), which was lower than the concentration expected to yield a 50%
mortality level.
A primary effluent composite sample consisting of buckets 2,3 and 4 for June 5, 2011 was
submitted to SJC Laboratory for the same testing that was done for primary effluent samples that
were associated with the treatment plant upset. The treatment plant was operating well on June 6th
and testing showed that primary effluent COD and ammonia in those buckets were at normal levels
for the plant. There were no significant differences in the results of the heavy metals, or Acute
Toxicity scan. In particular, the bioassay LC50 result for the primary effluent sample on the
“good” day was the same as the “incident” sample (35.4%). The GC/MS Scan showed no
constituents having known toxicological significance. However, the levels of hexadecanoic and
octadecanoic acid in the primary composite were only about half the level found in the primary
grab sample obtained on the day of the upset. This result could reflect the dilutive effect inherent
in using a 12-hour composite for the June 5th analysis. Alternately it could indicate that a slug of
higher strength wastewater from a food processing facility entered the plant on May 10th.
Scalping Plant Proposal in Pasadena
On May 11 Bill Garrett assigned John Boyd to investigate the flow upstream of J O "B" 6J
manhole B1438. Jodie Nygaard from the Districts' Monitoring Section was assisting the Foothill
MWD in their efforts to determine whether there were any water quality issues in wastewater from
that sewer that might interfere with their plans to scalp wastewater from that sewer for treatment
and reuse. Most of the flow influent to manhole B1438 is from residential and commercial sources
located in the city of La Canada- Flintridge. Of the few permitted industrial wastewater dischargers
upstream the most significant is:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena 91011
IW 7024
100,000 gpd
The JPL site discharges a mix of industrial wastewater and sanitary wastewater to the
sewer from several of their buildings The NASA-owned Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) site is the
source of volatile organic compounds and perchlorate contamination in the local groundwater
basin. However, no contaminated water from remediation efforts is discharged into the sewer
system except for 500 gallons per day of filter backwash from a remediation system located on the
JPL grounds. This water contains virtually no VOC or perchlorate. The nearby large NASAfunded superfund remediation system is operated by the City of Pasadena Department of Water
and Power. The remediation system treats and discharges groundwater into the city water supply
system but it does not discharge wastewater to the sewer system.
One minor discharger tributary to manhole B1438 is the La Canada Flintridge Country
Club that discharges 600 gpd from swimming pool backwash, kitchen waste and water softening
DOC# 1956292
for their dish washing. Another contributor is the Flintridge Riding Club that discharges 1,700 gpd
through IW 15358 from four covered horse wash pads, restrooms and showers.
The records search for JPL effluent water quality to the sewer did not find any significant
contribution that would impact installing a scalping plant at manhole B1438. There are no known
water quality issues that would prevent this project from proceeding.
Marina Pump Plant #2 Overflow False Alarm
On Wednesday May 18 at 0822 hours Pump Plant Supervisor Jeff Masters requested that
Long Beach Pump Plant (LBPP) Operator Carlos Moreno enact the Districts’ shut-down procedure
to stop:
LCW Oil Operations, LLC
6433 E. 2nd Street
Long Beach 90803
IW 20496
546,000 gpd
from discharging to the sewer due to a reported overflow at the Marina PP #2. This incident started
with notification from an unknown source that there was a potential overflow at the Districts'
Marina Pump Plant #2. Per the Pump Plant Supervisor's direction an operator at the LBPP
requested that LCW oil field stop all industrial discharge to the sewer so that the volume of a
potential spill would be minimized. LCW operators complied with the request and reduced their
400 gpm to "a trickle" within 6-10 minutes per Senior IW Inspector Juan Sanchez.
The initial caller mistook a Long Beach City fresh water leak at a backflow prevention
device for a wastewater release by the Marina PP #2. This was a "false alarm" but the speed that
the LCW facility demonstrated in shutting down their flow to the sewer was impressive.
San Jose Creek East White Foam
On Tuesday May 24 at 0720 hours WRP Superintendent Bob Shimokochi called Bill
Garrett to report excessive white foam in the San Jose Creek East secondary effluent at 0130
earlier that morning. There was a mild low dissolved oxygen condition that may be associated with
the foaming event.
Inspections at 14 permitted industrial waste dischargers who were considered to be
potential sources of the foaming material found that none of the industrial facilities were a likely
source of foam for this incident. The sample result for the WRP primary effluent grab taken on
May 24 showed MBAS=9.31 mg/l which is within the normal range for this WRP. The cause of
the foaming was not discovered. The 24-hour primary effluent composite samples for May 23-24
showed normal COD levels. The cause of the mildly low dissolved oxygen condition also remains
unexplained. Operators reported that the excessive foam in the secondary effluent channel and at
the filters was no long visible at 0700 hours when day shift operators came on shift on May 24.
San Jose Creek East Elevated Dissolved Oxygen Demand
On Wednesday May 25 at 1400 hours JOS Operations Superintendent Bob Shimokochi
called Bill Garrett to report an elevated dissolved oxygen (D.O.) demand at the San Jose Creek
East WRP for the last hour. The process air controllers (PACs) were increased to maximum output
to counteract the D.O. drop. IW Inspector Anie Kellzi picked up the primary grab sample taken by
the operators and submitted it to the lab for COD.
Inspections at the 17 permitted IW dischargers that were considered to be potential sources
of high COD influent to SJC-East WRP did not find any evidence of spills, slug discharges, faulty
DOC# 1956292
pretreatment equipment or unusual discharges to the sewer from any of the industrial facilities.
WRP sampling data confirmed that the primary effluent COD was higher on May 25 than for any
day in the month of May (see figure 5). The primary grab taken at 1345 hours during the elevated
D.O demand period showed a COD=543 mg/l. The duration of the high COD slug may have been
very short, which would make identification of the source difficult. There were no effluent
exceedances for any parameter at the WRP.
FIGURE 5 SHOWS THAT THE MAY 25 PRIMARY EFFLUENT 24-HOUR COMPOSITE
CONCENTRATION FOR COD WAS THE HIGHEST VALUE FOR THE MONTH.
Allington Street Pump Plant Flow Increase
On Wednesday May 25 at 1516 hours Compton Project Engineer Mark Pettit requested that
Industrial Waste investigate why the influent flow to the Allington Street Pump Plant increased
dramatically starting May 17, 2011.
IW Inspector Michael Placencia surveyed the area tributary to the Allington St. Pump Plant
for wastewater sources that could account for increased flow (see figure 6). The area is
predominately residential, schools, and some commercial facilities at the northern extent of the
local sewers. The only “industrial” discharger of note is a car wash. Placencia was present at the
car wash during a period of relatively high activity but detected only a low flow at the effluent
sampling location. This car wash recycles its wash water to reduce water consumption. It is not a
new source of flow to the sewer. It would not contribute significantly to the estimated 13,000 gpd
increase in flow to the pump plant.
IW Inspector Michael Placencia’s detailed findings were forwarded to Compton Project
Engineer Mark Pettit. A flow study may be needed to determine if the fluctuations and the
increase in flow are “real”. There does not appear to be any industrial source upstream that has the
ability to significantly impact the flow volume into the Allington Pump Plant.
DOC# 1956292
FIGURE 6 SHOWS THE DRAINAGE AREA THAT FLOWS TO THE ALLINGTON PUMP
PLANT.
Elevated Flammability at District 8 Manhole B18A (continuing investigation)
There were not any incidents at this manhole in May 2011
Elevated Flammability at Manhole B902 in Carson (continuing investigation)
On May 3 at 1320 hours a Compton Sewer Technician discovered LEL=30% at manhole
B902. On May 10 at 1345 hours and again on May 17 at 1330 hours Compton Sewer Technicians
found LEL=80% at manhole B902 during routine checks.
IW Inspector Bill Barnum took a headspace sample from manhole B902 at 1415 hours on
May 10 when the LEL=63% to get a methane concentration and a hydrocarbon scan from the
JWPCP Air Lab. The JWPCP Air Lab reported that the MH B902 headspace gas sample collected
on May 10 contained 4.13% methane by volume. This level would account for virtually all of the
63% LEL. Based on this result, the lab did not complete any further analyses for other sources of
flammable hydrocarbons. Laboratory analyses of the headspace at this manhole have consistently
shown that the flammability is due predominantly to methane. It is unlikely that industrial
discharges are responsible for the elevated flammability at this manhole.
DOC# 1956292
FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2011
Refinery Power Outage and Fire
On Monday June 6 at 1530 hours Environmental Engineer Bob Stockdale at the Tesoro
Refinery called Bill Garrett to report that a power outage for most of the refinery had started at
1255 hours. As a result of the power outage a small fire occurred at the delayed coking unit. The
fire was put out in about 20 minutes, generating approximately 11,000 barrels (462,000 gallons) of
fire suppression water that was impounded onsite in tank 143000. Water, but no foam, was used to
put out the fire.
Tesoro Refining and Marketing
2101 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Wilmington, CA 90744
IW 20098
2,900,000 GPD
Analysis of the impounded fire suppression water revealed it contained elevated levels of
dissolved sulfides (0.16 mg/l, limit=0.1 mg/l). All other parameters were within discharge limits.
Tesoro subsequently proposed treating the water in their onsite oil/water separators and induced
gas flotation treatment system to bring the sulfide level into compliance with limits prior to its
discharge to the sewer. This proposal was approved and subsequent monitoring of the discharge
confirmed the water met all applicable limits when it was discharged to the sewer on June 20th21st. In following up on this event, IW Inspectors verified that District 8 manhole C21 was a
suitable remote downstream manhole (see figure 1) to monitor in the event of a dangerous situation
at Tesoro were to occur and to prevent access to the facility's normal on-site effluent monitoring
location.
FIGURE 1 SHOWS THE LOCATION OF THE DISTRICTS’ MANHOLE THAT IW
INSPECTORS WILL USE TO MONITOR FLAMMABILITY DOWNSTREAM OF THE
TESORO OIL REFINERY.
DOC #: 2011957
Industrial Spill in Long Beach
On Friday June 10 Long Beach Environmental Inspector Carmen Piro called Industrial
Waste to report that on June 9th a full 5,000-gallon industrial wastewater holding tank ruptured,
overflowing its entire contents into and beyond its containment area at:
Talco Plastics Inc.
IW 13777
th
3270 E. 70 St.
Long Beach, CA 90805
8,300 GPD
Some of the wastewater drained onto an industrial property adjacent to Talco, but none
reached the sewer or stormdrain. Inspector Mike Placencia investigated the report and found that
the wastewater that had spilled was odorous and contained high concentrations of suspended solids
and BOD. However, it was determined to be non-hazardous. Talco Plastics immediately began a
remediation effort that included diking surface drainage swales and bringing in a vacuum truck
service to remove all the standing wastewater from the spill. Ultimately, the spilled wastewater
was returned to Talco, treated using their onsite pretreatment system and discharged to the sewer
in accordance with their industrial wastewater discharge permit. In order to prevent any
recurrences of this type of incident, Talco will replace a number of similar polyethylene tanks on
their property.
FIGURE 2 SHOWS THE RUPTURED TANK,
CONTAINMENT, AND PROPERTY LINE
AT TALCO PLASTICS.
Solvent Odor at the Valencia WRP
On Thursday June 23 at 0830 hours TPO II Jeanine Phaneuf called Bill Garrett to report a
short duration petroleum/solvent odor at the Valencia WRP. Inspector Pat Cashen investigated the
incident. WRP operators stated the odor was distinctly a solvent odor and not the fruity-sweet odor
noted on previous occasions. Sample results for a raw influent sample taken during the incident
DOC #: 2011957
found no positive results for the 31 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that were screened.
Inspection at eight industrial wastewater dischargers, considered the most likely sources for the
incident, found no evidence that any were the source. Inspectors will continue looking for a source
during routine inspection operations. Other than noting the odor, WRP operations were otherwise
unaffected.
On June 20 Supervising Engineering Technician Albert Steele at the Compton Field Office
telephoned Bill Garrett to report that a Compton Technician had detected elevated LEL =32% at
1155 hours using a hand-held ATX explosimeter at manhole B18A during routine checks on their
sulfide/LEL route. This manhole is the connection point that receives over 5 MGD of treated
wastewater from the BP Refinery.
The most recent lab analyses for the BP oil refinery was on March 30 when Senior IW
Inspector Steve Sealy measured LEL=34% at manhole B18A. He measured LEL=19% at the BP
Oil range organics
12 mg/l
6.4 mg/l
1.5 mg/l
Benzene
Toluene
m+p-Xylenes
o-Xylene
Ethylbenzene
1,2-Butadiene
Chloroform
4.9 ppm
3.6 ppm
2.8 ppm
9.7 ppm
5.2 ppm
17 ppm
3.8 ppm
pretreatment at the refinery and imposing additional discharge limits for the refinery. In February
2011 Bill Garrett discussed another option with Wastewater Collections System Manager Sam
Espinoza. There is a possibility that the Districts could install a temporary trailer-mounted gas
removal system over manhole B18A to remove the flammable hydrocarbons and bill the refinery
for all costs associated with that effort. Mr. Espinoza agreed to consider assigning one of his
engineers to explore the feasibility and cost of this option.
There were no incidents at this manhole in June 2011.
DOC #: 2011957
FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2010
Irregularities with Hauling Manifests at the Pomona Liquid Waste Disposal Station (LWDS)
On July 1 Pomona LWDS Attendant Debbie Mulvihill called Bill Garrett to request
guidance regarding apparent irregularities for industrial/brine loads hauled from:
WhiteWave Foods Co.
18275 Arenth Av
IW 20388
300,000 gpd
to the Pomona LWDS by waste hauler M.C. Nottingham. The manifests generated for the Districts
by this hauler frequently included more than one DOT manifest that showed volumes of waste that
did not match the Districts' manifest. Bill Garrett instructed the LWDS Attendants to continue to
accept and document data identifying manifest numbers, dates, volumes etc. The DOT manifests
will continue to be sent to IW Project Engineer Ramin Nur weekly and the District manifest
information (including notes about the DOT manifests) will continue to be entered into the
electronic data base. The IW Inspection staff will review the site records at White Wave and at M.
C. Nottingham and investigate their hauling practices to determine if inappropriate wastes are
being blended at the generator or the hauler's sites and whether the volume of wastes hauled from
the generator by the hauler to the Pomona LWDS can be reconciled.
IW Inspector Anie Kellzi and Supervising Inspector John Boyd investigated the generator
and the hauler sites to determine if wastes were being handled properly and manifests were
appropriately completed. They also sampled a load at the generator’s holding tank and a load
presented at the LWDS to confirm the similarity of the waste being hauled. The lab analyses
showed a strong correlation for COD, suspended solids, total dissolved solids and metals. The
inspectors did not find any evidence of improper handling of the waste brine nor intentional
falsification of waste manifests associated with the waste brine loads by the hauler (M.C.
Nottingham). The crux of the problem is that the loads of the waste brine are not being handled as
originally envisioned by Districts’ Engineers when the hauled waste permit was approved on May
1, 2009. M.C. Nottingham is not violating the spirit of the permit nor its requirements and
corrective action was nor requested after completion of the inspections. M.C. Nottingham was
encouraged to make their best effort to insure that the paperwork and manifests were completed as
properly and clearly as possible. Inspectors will examine manifests and review hauling practices
as part of their routine inspections at WhiteWave Foods.
Elevated Flammability Downstream of Ultramar-Valero Refinery in Wilmington
On July 6 and 7 during night inspections Senior IW Inspector Lee Austin found
approximately 60-90% LEL in the headspace of two manholes in a 21" City of Los Angeles sewer
immediately downstream of the industrial sewer connection for:
Ultramar-Valero Refinery
2402 E. Anaheim St
Wilmington 90744
IW16421
1.4 mgd
On Thursday morning July 8 Supervising Inspector Fred Cannizzaro contacted Lonnie Ayers,
DOC# 1691822
Pretreatment Program Permit and Compliance Manager for the City of Los Angeles Bureau of
Sanitation, and notified him that Districts’ IW Inspectors detected elevated LEL in the city sewer
downstream of the Ultramar-Valero refinery. The local 21” Los Angeles city sewer conveys the
refinery wastewater to a city pumping plant which discharges to the Long Beach city sewer
system. The Long Beach local sewer then connects to the Districts’ Pico Ave Trunk. Mr. Ayers
dispatched City personnel to the site Thursday morning in response to Cannizzaro’s report.
Districts’ inspectors also returned to the site Thursday morning to inspect off-site access
monitoring equipment, interact with refinery representatives, and obtain refinery effluent water and
sample point headspace gas samples.
Standard field flammability tests performed on the refinery effluent showed combustible
gas concentrations (LEL) consistently meeting permitted levels, even though head space LEL in
the refinery’s final effluent manhole and immediate downstream City manholes showed elevated
flammability readings. The Districts’ approved refinery effluent LEL monitoring equipment (see
figure 1) recorded only low levels of combustible gas for each inspection performed on site.
Districts’ Inspectors collected a headspace gas sample for Hydrocarbon analysis and a water
sample for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons/BTXE at the sampling manhole. The headspace gas
sampling results (JWPCP Air Lab) revealed the presence of light hydrocarbons, but an insufficient
amount to account for most of the LEL associated with the sample. The concentration of methane
detected could account for most of the LEL present in the headspace. The Total Petroleum
Hydrocarbon water sample analysis showed a relatively low level of gasoline range hydrocarbons.
Due to the persistent elevated concentration of flammable gas (LEL) at the city manhole
immediately downstream of the refinery the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation issued a
“Notice of Imminent Hazard Permit Suspension” to the refinery on July 8 requiring cessation of
further industrial wastewater discharge. Districts’ inspectors detected 0% LEL at the refinery’s
sampling manhole and downstream city manholes after the refinery began to impound the
industrial wastewater flow.
In a meeting on July 9 attended by representatives of the City of Los Angeles, Valero
Refinery, and Districts’ IW Inspectors David Sanchez and Bill Barnum, the City issued a
“Conditional Permit Reinstatement” to Valero allowing the facility to resume industrial wastewater
discharge. Valero stated that storage capacity was insufficient to accommodate effluent
impoundment for an extended period of time. Valero was required to monitor and record LEL at
their on-site sampling manhole and immediate downstream city manhole using portable gas
detection equipment and to cease discharge and notify the City in the event of an LEL equal to or
exceeding 10% (this limit was adjusted upward in a subsequent meeting). A report summarizing
the result of Valero’s investigation of the cause of the elevated sewer LEL was required by July
12.
In a second meeting on July 12 attended by representatives of the City of Los Angeles,
Valero Refinery, and Districts’ Inspectors David Sanchez and Bill Barnum, Valero indicated that a
preliminary investigation pointed to the refinery’s sour water stripper as the primary source
contributing to the elevated LEL at the City’s downstream manholes. Further investigation is
underway to pinpoint specific areas contributing to the problem at the stripper. The City issued an
amended Conditional Permit to Valero requiring continued monitoring, notification and cessation
of discharge in the event of LEL exceeding 20% at the city manhole downstream of the refinery,
and submission of a complete report on Valero’s investigation and corrective actions.
DOC# 1691822
Subsequent follow up by Districts’ IW Inspectors during the month of July found that the
refinery was periodically ventilating the sewer headspace upstream of their point of connection to
the city sewer. Sour water stripper flow was being diverted to an impound tank as necessary to
maintain the prescribed conditions at their sampling manhole and downstream city sewer. A
summary report from Valero to the City Bureau of Sanitation is due in August.
FIGURE 1 IS THE EFFLUENT COMBUSTIBLE GAS MONITORING STATION AT THE
ULTRAMAR-VALERO REFINERY.
Odor Complaint in the City of Industry
At about 0900 hours on Tuesday July 20 IW Inspector Ken Hanks conducted a routine
inspection at:
Heartland Farms
17851 E. Railroad St
IW 20639
260,100 gpd
Heartland Farms operates a juice and milk bottling operation. During the site visit the Los Angeles
County Fire Department joined the inspection to investigate an odor complaint lodged by a
neighboring machine shop against Heartland Farms. The machine shop has a large roll up door
that is open during business hours near the Heartland Farms industrial wastewater pretreatment
system. The machine shop complained that the large tanks that separate fatty solids were overly
odorous on warm days. There were not any upset conditions or malfunctions of the treatment
system during the inspection. The Fire Department Inspector detected mild odors during the
inspection. The environmental contact at Heartland Farms agreed to contact the installer of the
pretreatment system to improve odor control.
During a follow-up inspection Ken Hanks found that Heartland Farms had installed a
misting deodorizer near the pretreatment system. The environmental contact claimed to have
“made peace” with the neighboring machine shop. The Fire Department may reinspect the facility
to formally close the investigation.
DOC# 1691822
Sewer System Overflow on the Arizona Trunk in East L.A. (continuing investigation)
On March 3 2010 Doug Walton called IW to report a sewer system overflow at District 2
manhole 1570 on the Arizona Ave trunk in East Los Angeles at the intersection of 6th St and Kern
Av. (see figure 2) Grease accumulation in the line may have contributed to the sewer system
overflow. A similar overflow at this same manhole occurred on May 5, 2006. A contributing
factor for both the May 2006 and the March 2010 overflows was grease plugging the 9" sewer.
The grease likely comes from the cleaning of a double barrel siphon (two 15” lines) on the Arizona
St Trunk (District 2 manholes 1587 and 1586) about 0.82 miles upstream of the SSO location
where the trunk crosses under the Pomona Freeway. LACSD San Gabriel Maintenance Yard
Supervisor Bill Balas reported to IW Inspector Greg Neunsinger that the siphon structure was
cleaned the day before the overflow occurred on March 1. It is very likely that the grease cleared
from the siphon structure flowed downstream and plugged the trunk at manhole 1570 where the
line diameter constricts to 9".
Inspection at upstream industrial wastewater sources found no evidence of any industrial
grease discharge that could have caused or contributed to this incident. L A County DPW assisted
the investigation by reviewing inspection records for the 30 Food Service Establishments upstream
of manhole 1570 that are routinely inspected for compliance with the Fats, Oil and Grease (FOG)
control program administered by DPW. In July 2010 DPW Supervising Inspector Anoush
Dejbakhsh forwarded the results of the DPW inspections to Supervising IW Inspector John Boyd.
Review of the 27 inspection reports found that that none of the DPW inspections found any
"smoking gun" cause for the excessive grease found in the trunk however a number of the Food
Service Establishments were found to be lacking proper grease trap or interceptor devices. DPW
Inspectors required the sites with deficient grease removal devices to install appropriate equipment
to comply with FOG control requirements. This should reduce the amount of grease discharged
into the local sewers that contribute flow to the Arizona Ave Trunk.
FIGURE 2 SHOWS THE SEWERS THAT COULD CONTRIBUTE FLOW TO THE SSO
LOCATION ON THE ARIZONA TRUNK SEWER.
DOC# 1691822
Illegal Dumping Report near San Jose Creek WRP
On July 29 Districts’ employee Kim Yapp called IW Inspector Jim Percy to report that she
had observed a truck putting material into an open manhole through a hose while taking a noontime walk along the San Jose Creek bike path. She recorded the Arizona truck license number
(CB07017) and recalled the name on the truck having something to do with "Piping". She
estimated that the manhole was approximately 1/4 mile east of Workman Mill Rd between the
railroad tracks and the creek. Jim Percy checked the schedule for sewer crown spraying and found
that Districts’ sewer crown spray contractor
ProPipe Professional Pipe Services fid 9245130
249 S. Paseo Tesoro
Walnut 91789
was scheduled to service the Districts’ trunk line that follows the San Jose Creek. Percy called
ProPipe and confirmed that they were using a truck that had the license plate noted by the
informant. The Districts had authorized the chemical addition to the sewer. No further action is
anticipated.
Elevated Flammability at Manhole B18A in Carson
On July 13 at 1325 hours Albert Steele reported to IW Inspector Kent McIntosh that his
technicians detected 43% LEL at manhole B18A at 1315 hours. Technicians used an ATX meter
calibrated to pentane. The H2S concentration was 23 ppm.
A four-week sampling effort was initiated by the JWPCP team of Inspectors to gather
information about factors contributing to the high LEL frequently reported at this manhole. The
sampling plan called for the submittal of one series per week of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon
water samples, Benzene/Toluene/Xylene/Ethyl Benzene (BTXE) water samples and headspace gas
samples for each of the locations designated below. The samples for each week were obtained on
the same day, usually within about a 3-hour span. Headspace gas samples were collected only if
the LEL at a location was 20% or higher. The sample locations were:
BP West Coast Products (015631)
MH 08 B0018A (014874)
MH 08 B 0019 (014889)
MH 08 B 0920 (014891)
MH 08 B 0044 (017307)
MH 08 B 0070A (017308)
MH 08 E 0007 (017306)
Due to a QC failure for Diesel/Oil range organics (test code 8015) at the contract lab the
sample analyses for July 21 and July 27 could not be completed. IW Inspectors will extend the
sample study into August in order to resample for the lost analyses.
DOC# 1691822
FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2011
City of Industry Oily Material Anonymous Tip
On Tuesday, August 2, 2011 an anonymous tipster reported that Federal BioEnergy, a
private company located in the City of Industry, was periodically dumping odorous oily liquids
into the storm drains at their site on Proctor Avenue. IW Inspector Elaine Myrick investigated this
report. Federal BioEnergy collects used cooking oil from restaurants and then sells/distributes the
oil to biodiesel manufacturers. The site on Proctor Ave has 275-gal collection tote containers
where the waste oil is stockpiled prior to its sale and distribution. During the process of
transferring waste oil between totes and larger truck tanks, some of the oil spills onto concrete
floor areas, requiring periodic cleanup and generation of alkaline oily wastewater. The company
admitted this wastewater was then being discharged into a grated stormdrain located in their
parking area. Myrick ordered the company to cease the discharge of this waste into the storm
drains and advised the company owner of his legal options for disposing of the oily wastewater: 1)
apply for and obtain an IW discharge permit from the Districts to allow its discharge to the sewer
or 2) have it hauled offsite to a licensed waste handling facility. Given that the costs of obtaining
and maintaining an IW discharge permit would be great due to the likely requirement for
pretreatment equipment to remove the oil from the wastewater prior to its discharge to the sewer,
the owner opted to collect and haul the waste.
Los Coyotes Pink Color
On Friday, August 12, 2011, Areceli Franco, Treatment Plant Operator at the Los Coyotes
WRP, reported that during initial daily rounds at 0700 hours operators had noted pink color in both
the forebay and river. The pink color was also visible in secondary effluent sampling buckets 4-6
(1800-0600 hours). At 1500 hours on 8-12-11 Monitoring Section Supervisor Ann Heil reported
the pink color in the river would be reported as an NPDES violation. On 8-12-11 IW Inspector
Traci Stahl located the color source: S.K. Dyeing and Washing Co in Santa Fe Springs. Senior IW
Inspector Juan Sanchez joined Stahl onsite to assist her. It was determined that company was in
the process of permanently vacating the site and workers were hosing unwanted red textile dye
powder into a drain. Sanchez ordered the workers to cease this activity immediately, which they
did. Sanchez contacted the company owner, Mr. Sung H. Kim, on the phone. Kim stated that the
workers had been tasked to clean up the site. Sanchez informed the workers and Mr. Kim that the
discharge of the concentrated red dye had caused a color problem at the WRP and that the
company was in serious violation of its wastewater discharge permit. On Saturday, 8-13-11
Supervising Inspector Fred Cannizzaro met Kim onsite and issued a Notice of Violation for
discharging excessively colored wastewater, as well as discharging a waste that caused passthrough at the WRP. Kim acknowledged responsibility for the discharges, stating that his
employees had misinterpreted his clean-up instructions. The Districts’ subsequent enforcement
follow-up letter to the company warned the company would be held responsible for any costs
incurred by the Districts as a result of the red color discharge, including operational costs and any
fines imposed by the State Water Board for the NPDES violation.
S.K. Dyeing & Washing Co.
IW 16020
75,000 gpd
11217 Shaemaker Ave.
Santa Fe Springs 90670
FIGURES 1 & 2: LCWRP FOREBAY AND WASTEWATER SAMPLE TAKEN
AT S.K. DYEING & WASHING CO.
Irwindale Trunk Sewer Chlorine Odor
On Friday, August 12, 2011, San Gabriel Yard Supervisor of Sewer Maintenance Bill
Balas reported a strong bleach/chlorine odor at manhole 22 1084 on the Irwindale Trunk sewer.
The strong odor caused Districts sewer maintenance personnel to halt their cleaning operations.
Inter Valley Pool Supply was quickly identified by Senior IW Inspector David Sanchez as the
source of the odor.
Inter Valley Pool Supply
IW 15125
7 gpd
6626 Santos Diaz St.
Irwindale 91702
The company is located upstream of the manhole and has been the source of previous
similar incidents due to their operations, which include bottling of chlorine liquids used in
swimming pool applications. It was determined that the company’s attempts to treat their
wastewater discharge to remove free chlorine via sodium thiosulfate addition were inadequate to
the task. Inspector Sanchez issued a Notice of Violation for failure to properly treat and monitor
their discharge. He instructed the company to increase the thiosulfate addition to the level needed
to take up all the free chlorine in the wastewater discharge. These efforts were successful and
Districts’ crews successfully cleaned the sewer later that same day. Inter Valley Pool Supply
subsequently announced their intent to move from the site in Irwindale to a new site in Pomona
within 2 months. Company representatives claim the new site in Pomona will be strictly a dry
warehousing and distribution operation with no chemical compounding or bottling operations, nor
any industrial wastewater discharge.
FIGURE 3: SEWER DIAGRAM SHOWING LOCATIONS OF
INTER VALLEY POOL SUPPLY AND MH 22 1084
Foster Poultry Farms Sewer Odor
On Wednesday, August 17, 2011 Compton Field Office Senior Engineer Darrell Hatch
reported that they had received a sewer odor complaint from Foster Poultry Farms in Compton.
Hatch requested assistance from the IW inspection staff in investigating and resolving the
complaint. Foster Poultry Farms produces frozen tacos and burritos at this facility.
Foster Poultry Farms, a California Corp
IW 20612
12,000 gpd
1805 N. Santa Fe Ave.
Compton 90221
Company representatives reported they have been intermittently noting foul odors with a
“petrochemical “ character for the past 4 years both inside and outside their buildings. Supervising
Inspector Fred Cannizzaro investigated the report. The investigation didn’t reveal any evidence
that the odor source was Districts’ trunk or local sewers. It appears likely the odors are coming
from a nearby (<1/4 mile away) centralized waste treatment facility, Demenno Kerdoon, that
specializes in handling waste oil and related materials. These waste streams typically have the
distinctive petrochemical odor that was reported. Although there was no evidence found that the
odors were coming from the sewer, Cannizzaro requested that the Compton field office verify
pressure plates installed at manholes on the Holmes-Willowbrook trunk were intact. Cannizzaro
also requested the City of Compton cork and seal two manholes on a local sewer line to minimize
any possibility that the odors at Foster Poultry Farms have a sewer source.
Sigma Plating Surface Spill
On Monday, August 22, 2011 at 0915 hours, Bob Flores of Sigma Plating in La Puente
reported that during the previous evening a malfunction in their industrial wastewater pretreatment
system’s filter press had caused 300 gallons of wastewater to spill into a driveway. Investigation
by Districts’ Inspector Elaine Myrick revealed that the spilled material was actually nickel-plating
solution, not wastewater, and that the spill had occurred due to plating bath filter cartridge leak.
The nickel-laden solution spilled beyond a spill containment dike and into a nearby driveway. The
company was not in operation at the time and the spill was not discovered until workers arrived at
the company in the morning. Company workers responded by attempting to contain and collect as
much of the spilled material as possible, but an unknown quantity entered a nearby storm drain.
Plant Manager Robert Flores notified CSD and then LACDPW Flood Control and LA County
Health Hazmat. Myrick verified that there was no impact on the sewer and that the spill was
properly recorded and documented. With Districts’ permission, the collected nickel laden solution
was slowly added into the company's waste treatment system for treatment and sewer disposal.
Sigma Plating Company, Inc
IW 11021
43,800 gpd
1040 S. Otterbein Ave
La Puente 91748
There were no incidents at this manhole in August 2011.
There were no incidents at this manhole in August 2011.
FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2011
Honeywell International Low pH Spill Report
On Sunday, September 4, 2011 Eric Sramek, Health, Safety, and Environmental Manager
at Honeywell International Inc in Torrance called STPO Mark McKnight at JWPCP and reported
they had just discharged approximately 5000 gallons of pH=2.2-3.0 wastewater due to a cooling
tower leak. However, follow-up investigation by IW Inspector Jessi Kerins determined that the
report was false. It was found that the effluent pH meter, which was the source of the low pH data,
was inaccurate. Upon calibration of the meter and further review of the pH data chart, it was
determined that no discharge of low pH wastewater had in fact occurred. No enforcement action
was taken.
Honeywell International Inc.
2525 W. 190th Street
Torrance, CA 90504
Figure 1: Effluent pH meter probe at Honeywell International Inc.
Note the biomass buildup on the probe tip that caused the meter to read
inaccurately.
S T & I, Inc Hydroflouric Acid Spill Report
On Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 1250 hours Bill Glass of S T & I, Inc in Paramount
reported that his facility had spilled approximately 50 gallons of 49% hydrofluoric acid solution at
an exterior loading dock area. County Fire Health Hazmat, as well as Districts’ IW Inspectors Finn
and Hoekstra, responded to the report.
ST & I Inc.
7517 Jefferson Street
Paramount, CA 90723
The spilled acid was contained, neutralized, and collected. An outside contractor, HTS
Environmental Services was brought onsite by S T & I to conduct further cleanup, which included
spraying the affected area with alkaline solution and water rinsate. S T & I requested and was
granted approval to slowly bleed the neutralized acid and associated cleanup water, which
amounted to several hundred gallons total, into their normal IW discharge. The discharge was
completed by 9-7-2011 without incident. The information regarding the spilled material, as well as
its cause and disposition, were properly entered into the company’s spill logbook per Districts’
requirements. Districts’ sewers and treatment facilities were unaffected by the incident. No
enforcement action was taken.
On Wednesday, September 7, at 0800 hours TPO II Doug Jensen at the Lancaster WRP
telephoned John Boyd to report that during the two previous evenings from 2000-2200 hours
operators had noted high dissolved oxygen levels in the Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR) influent
flow and then the subsequent appearance of thick brown foam in the MBR tanks.
This is the second incident of excess foam/elevated DO at the Lancaster WRP MBR unit
this year and the fifth in the past three years. This incident is similar to the others in the past in
that the foam and elevated D.O. is found only in the MBR unit and not the main treatment plant.
IW inspectors performed site inspections at the most likely upstream sources of foam causing
material, finding no evidence of source discharges. The cause of these incidents remains unclear,
but as in the past, IW inspectors speculate that the foam may be a by-product of the normal
operations of an MBR system, which include long solids retention times (SRT's) and high air
addition rates. The foam eventually reduced over a few days and as of 9-12-11 the MBR unit was
functioning normally with no excessive foaming present.
Ecolab Anonymous Tip
On Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 0041 hours Supervising IW Inspector John Boyd
was notified by Senior Pump Plant Operator Jaime Hernandez at the Long Beach Main Pump Plant
that he’d just received an anonymous tip from a caller. She stated that Ecolab Inc, in the City of
Industry was planning to discharge an unknown amount of a potentially toxic material into their
wastewater pit at 0730 hours later that day. She identified the material as “linear alcohol
othoxylate” and said it was being stored in a container sitting on a shelf next to the pit. She said the
material was labeled as a “marine pollutant” and “class 9 DOT regulated material” with CAS
(chemical identification number) of 75-21-8.
Ecolab, Inc.
18383 E. Railroad Street
City of industry, CA 91748
Inspector Elaine Myrick investigated this report on 9-14-11 and found no evidence that any
inappropriate sewer discharges had occurred or were imminent at Ecolab Inc. Ecolab, as a
manufacturer of soaps and detergents, maintains bulk quantities of linear alcohol ethoxylate, a nonionic surfactant commonly used in the production of various household and commercial cleaning
compounds and solutions. While this material can’t be legally discharged into the storm drain
system, its discharge into the sewer is neither prohibited nor would present any known problems at
a downstream water reclamation plants unless discharged in large volumes. Myrick’s inspection
indicated that the linear alcohol ethoxylate was being held properly for future use in product
blending operations. Samples taken from the wastewater sample box on 9-14-11 indicated normal
levels of foam causing materials.
Los Coyotes High pH
On Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 1133 hours, Los Coyotes WRP STPO Stephan
Johnson reported pH=8 influent that had begun at 0930 hours and was still present. Investigation
by IW inspectors quickly determined the elevated pH was due to crown spray activities being
conducted upstream of the WRP. IW Inspector Bill Barnum contacted Chris Schenone of Veolia
ES Industrial Services, the contractor conducting the crown spray operations. Schenone confirmed
his crew was spraying the South Whittier Outfall trunk with magnesium hydroxide during the
morning of 9-15-2011. It was found that STPO Johnson had not been receiving the crown spray
notification messages sent by Schenone to Districts’ staff. Schenone immediately added Johnson
to his email notification distribution list.
Inland Empire Utilities Agency Sulfide Exceedance
On Monday, September 19, 2011 Mike Barber, Pretreatment and Source Control Inspector
with the IEUA, reported via email that on Friday, 9-16-11 at 1100 hours IEUA staff had noted a
high dissolved sulfide test result (result=0.3 mg/l, limit=0.1 mg/l) during routine monitoring at the
East End manhole where the Districts receives flow from the IEUA system. Retesting on Monday,
9-19-11 at 1330 hours found the dissolved sulfide concentration to be <0.1 mg/l. Investigation by
IEUA staff determined that their supplier of ferric chloride dosing solution, Kemira, had reduced
the FeCl concentration from 40% to 30% without properly notifying the IEUA. IEUA operators
had thus not known to increase the FeCl dosage to compensate for the change, causing the
exceedance. Once the cause of the exceedance had been determined, the daily dosage of FeCl
solution was immediately increased by operators from 500 gallons to 550 gallons, bringing the
sulfide concentration back into compliance on a consistent basis.
Los Coyotes High pH
On Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 0845 hours, Los Coyotes WRP TPO II Jesus
Garibay reported the influent pH had begun rising at 0749 hours, peaked at 9.1 at 0830 hours, and
was at 7.5 at 0845 hours. At 0939 hours Garibay reported the influent pH had again risen above
normal levels, reaching 9.0 at the time of his call. A third pulse of high pH influent was
subsequently noted at the WRP (see figure 1 chart). The operators reported the high pH influent
had an unusual grey color and “causticky” odor. Review of caustic addition and crown spray
schedules, as well as calls to Districts and contractor personnel conducting these activities found
no evidence that the elevated pH was due to caustic addition or crown spray activities being
conducted upstream of the WRP. Sample results of the high pH influent wastewater indicated a
high concentration of magnesium: sample result was 536 mg/l, “normal” is about 22 mg/l. This
high concentration of magnesium would appear to be indicative of crown spray activities, but the
crown spray contractor clearly states no crown spraying took place on 9-21-11. Inspectors
conducted inspections at more than 30 possible industrial sources in their search for an industrial
source for this incident without success.
Figure 2: LCWRP 9-21-2011 Influent chart showing high pH spikes.
ExxonMobil Vapor release
On Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 1530 hours, Environmental Manager Mary Nardone of
the ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance notified Operator Carlos Moreno at the Long Beach Main
Pump Plant that the refinery had impounded approximately 40,000 barrels (1.68 MG) of vapor
suppression water generated by their fire control system in response to a flammable vapor leak at
coke drum #10. The water was captured and pumped into holding tank #87 at the refinery.
ExxonMobil was contacted by Districts Supervising Inspector John Boyd and required to test the
impounded water for petroleum materials and other parameters such as pH and flash point. Test
results indicated the impounded water could be successfully treated through their wastewater
pretreatment system. The impounded water was subsequently treated and discharged through their
permitted outfall (permit #516) on 9-25-11. On 9-26-11 IW Inspector Shawn Cleaver verified the
discharge had been completed and had complied with all applicable limits, causing no adverse
impacts on downstream receiving sewers or treatment facilities (JWPCP).
ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
3700 190th Street
Torrance, CA 90503
Petroleum Oil at the JWPCP J.O. ‘A’ Headworks
On Thursday, September 29, 2011 at 0630 hours, JWPCP Supervising TPO Steve Pearson
called Supervising IW Inspector Dave Lee and reported that operators had observed floating black
oil in the J.O. ‘A” headworks at 0530 hours. IW inspector’s investigation determined the black
floating material reported as oil was not oil, but instead it was digested sludge discharged into J.O.
‘A” as part of an ongoing project to install a new digester wet well and screenings facility just west
of the JWPCP centrate treatment facility. Early on the morning of 9-29-11 a contractor involved in
the construction project pumped digested sludge from a broken pipe into the centrate underflow
diversion structure, which is tied to J.O. ‘A’. Samples of digested sludge essentially matched the
appearance, odor and characteristics of a sample of the “oil” collected by operators from the
headworks on 9-29-11. The digested sludge bears some resemblance to heavy petroleum oil,
though the digested sludge sample and the sample taken from the headworks lacked the petroleum
oil waste characteristic of stratifying into distinct oil/water layers when settling takes place.
Figure 3: Photo of the “oil” at the J.O. ‘A’ headworks.
Long Beach Low pH
On Friday, September 30, 2011 at 1840 hours TPO 1 Ryne Shea reported that the Long
Beach WRP influent pH had dropped to 5.6. Shay also reported the influent had a unusual “light
tea” color. Night shift IW Inspector Kent McIntosh identified the source of the low pH as the Long
Beach Water Department’s potable water processing facility. At 2145 hours the facility was found
to be discharging dark tea colored wastewater with a pH of 3.7 at a rate of 230gpm. IW permit
discharge requirements state that the wastewater discharge pH for this facility must be greater than
6 at all times. McIntosh required the facility to cease the discharge of the low pH wastewater
immediately and issued a Notice of Violation for the low pH discharge and discharging
excessively colored wastewater. During a follow-up inspection by Sr. IW Inspector Juan Sanchez
on 10-3-11, facility managers claimed that the low pH discharge was caused by a decision to
discharge several thousand gallons of off-spec ferric chloride solution that had been accidentally
diluted with potable water. They claimed they had intended to properly neutralize the solution
prior to its discharge into the sewer but the litmus test strips used to check the final pH of the
solution were out of date and inaccurate, resulting in operators thinking it had been neutralized
when in fact it had not.
Long Beach Water Department
2950 Redondo Avenue
Long beach, CA 90806
Figure 4: Color comparison for samples taken from the Long Beach WRP
and the Long Beach Water Department.
Long Beach Airport Firewater with Foam
On Friday, September 30, 2011 at 1630 hours TPO 1 City of Long Beach Health
Department's Kurt Anholt notified Randy Bones at the Long Beach Main Pump Plant that
accidental activation of the fire suppression system at the airport’s fuel tank farm had generated
1500-2000 gallons of foam contaminated firewater. No actual fire or fuel spill had occurred, thus
there were no other contaminants such as jet fuel present in the water generated. The Manager of
the Long Beach Fuel Consortium, Mr. Glenn Ray, requested they be allowed to discharge the
impounded water to the sewer. Investigation by IW Inspector Kent McIntosh determined there was
a risk that the water would cause excessive foaming in the sewers if discharged. As a result of this
concern, fabric softener and more water were added to the impounded water to act as a defoamant
and to dilute the solution respectively. The impounded water, now about 11,000 gallons was
discharged to the sewer at a rate of 10 gpm on 10-3-11 with Districts permission. Finn determined
the discharge did not cause any foam in sewers or at the downstream WRP (Long Beach).
Figure 5: Foam contaminated firewater at the Long Beach Airport.
Note the bottles of fabric softener in the foreground used as a defoamant.
There were no incidents at this manhole in September 2011.
There were no incidents at this manhole in September 2011.
FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2011
Elevated Flammability at multiple manholes on J.O. ‘A’ and J.O. ‘B’
On Wednesday, October 5 at 1415 hours Albert Steele of the Compton Yard Sewer
Monitoring Section reported high LEL readings (LEL >20%) at multiple manhole locations on the
J.O. ‘A” and J.O. ‘B’ trunk sewers both at, and downstream of, the District 8 Rancho Dominguez
trunk sewer “cluster”. The readings reported were:
MH B44
MH B18A
MH B902
MH A916
MH A41
MH A10
LEL=35%
LEL=56%
LEL=39 %
LEL=45%
LEL=33%
LEL=34%
1217 hours
1248 hours
1343 hours
1152 hours
1207 hours
1306 hours
Per Steele, these 6 manholes, along with 5 others, are checked 3 times weekly. With the exception
of manholes B18A and B902, these are the first high LEL readings (>20%) at these locations since
February 2010. Manholes B18A and B902 routinely have high readings and are the subject of
separate long term, ongoing investigations by IW Inspectors. It was noted that the high readings
coincided with the first heavy rains to occur in Southern California since May 17-18, 2011.
Approximately 1.0 inch of rain fell in the Los Angeles basin area on 10-5-11.
Figure 1: Map showing the locations of the manhole headspace LEL readings
measured by Districts’ technicians on 10-5-2011. Note the Rancho Dominguez
“cluster” is shown in the inset box.
Investigation by IW Inspectors did not locate any industrial wastewater dischargers contributing to
the observed elevated combustible gas concentrations. A headspace grab sample collected at MH
A916 at 1530 hours on 10-5-11 contained a methane concentration of 4.44% by volume. This
concentration is sufficient to be the sole source of the elevated LEL observed, making it unlikely
the cause of the high LEL readings observed were due to an industrial source that processes or
handles petroleum or related materials. It’s unclear if there is a causal relationship between the
heavy rain and the high LEL readings. Inspectors continue to investigate this possibility.
Los Coyotes Low pH
On Thursday, October 6 at 1040 hours Los Coyotes WRP TPO Bill Murphy notified John
Boyd that the WRP had experienced a 90-minute low pH influent episode beginning at 0915 hours
where the pH dropped to 6.4 for a 30-minute period then slowly returned to normal (7.0) by 1040
hours. Operators took a grab sample of the low pH influent at 0930 hours and reported it had a
normal appearance and odor. Inspection of likely industrial sources, including a large soda bottler
(Coca-Cola) and a large carpet mill (Shaw Diversified) did not reveal a source for this incident.
Los Coyotes High pH
During the month of October 2011 Los Coyotes WRP operators reported 3 incidents of
high pH influent:
Monday, 10-10-11
Thursday, 10-13-11
Friday, 10-21-11
0814 hours
1655 hours
1045 hours
pH=9.7
pH=10.3
pH=10.5
incident duration=10 minutes
incident duration =55 minutes
incident duration=85 minutes
Investigation by IW Inspectors determined that the incidents on the 13th and 21st were
caused by Districts’ caustic addition activities where the downstream treatment plant had been
initially misidentified on the caustic addition schedule, leading LCWRP operators to mistakenly
conclude caustic addition wasn’t the cause of the high pH. The misidentification was due to the
recent construction and completion of a new 18” cross connection between manhole 2443 on the
Norwalk Extension Trunk and J.O. ‘F’ manhole F0333. The new flow diversion commenced
operation on October 10, 2011.
Figure 2: LCWRP 10-13-2011 influent chart showing high pH spike.
IW Inspectors were unable to determine a source for the high pH incident on the 10th
despite an extensive investigation that included the inspection of 10 industrial wastewater
dischargers and close examination of caustic addition and crown spray activities.
Elevated Hydrogen Sulfide at District 5 Manhole D0006
On Thursday, October 13 at 0930 hours Districts’ Sulfide Monitoring Crew Senior
Engineering Technician Ron Rivers notified John Boyd that his technicians had detected 200 ppm
of H2S in the manhole headspace at District 5 manhole D0006 at 0914 hours. Investigation by
Supervising IW Inspector Fred Cannizzaro and Senior IW Inspector Steve Sealy determined that
the finding of high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide on this part of the J.O. ‘D’ trunk sewer is
not unusual and in fact, constitutes essentially normal conditions. As there is no ferrous chloride
solution addition at the Gardena and Main Street Pump Plants upstream of this manhole, there is
little to mitigate high sulfide levels developing in the large (72”) J.O. ‘D’ trunk line. It was
determined that there are currently no industrial dischargers with enough flow volume to be
capable of causing this elevated sulfide level at manhole D0006.
Figure 3: J.O. ‘D’ upstream sewer trace from JWPCP.
Sampler Damage at Papa Cantella’s in City of Vernon
On Friday, October 14 Districts’ Industrial Waste Monitoring Crew Technician Alfred
Johnson notified IW Inspector Greg Neunsinger that upon his arrival at Papa Cantella’s Inc he had
found that the Isco 24-hour sampler he had set-up the day before as part of routine monitoring
activities had been damaged. Johnson stated it appeared a vehicle had hit the sampler.
Papa Cantella’s Inc. IW16124
3341 50th Street
Vernon, CA 90058
11,200 gpd
Figure 4: Displaced Isco sampler with smashed battery
pack and lid knocked off.
Inspector Neunsinger cited the company for damaging Districts equipment. Company
managers accepted responsibility for the damage and will be billed by the Districts for the damage
incurred, which was essentially limited to the sampler battery (cost = approximately $300). The
company parking area is often highly congested, as is common in highly industrialized areas such
as Vernon, contributing to the potential for vehicles accidentally hitting stationary equipment.
Neunsinger determined the damage was caused accidentally. Managers stated they would take
action to prevent another such accident. Should another such incident occur the Districts will
require the company provide a more secure sampler location.
On Wednesday, October 26 at 0945 hours TPO I Karen Neely at the Lancaster WRP called
John Boyd to report that during the late afternoon to midnight on 10-25-11 there were high
dissolved oxygen levels and excessive amounts of thick brown foam in the Membrane Bio Reactor
(MBR) tanks.
This is the third occurrence of excess foam/elevated D.O. at the Lancaster WRP MBR unit
this year and the sixth in the past three years. This incident is similar to the others in the past in
that the foam and elevated D.O. is found only in the MBR unit and not the main treatment plant.
IW inspectors performed site inspections at the most likely upstream sources of foam causing
material, finding no evidence of a causal source discharge. The cause of these incidents remains
unclear, but as in the past, IW inspectors speculate that the foam may be a by-product of the
normal operations of an MBR system, which includes long solids retention times (SRT's) and high
air addition rates. MBR tank D.O levels had returned to normal by the midnight on 10-25-11 and
the amount of foam present in the MBR had returned to normal levels by 1200 on 10-26-11.
Elevated Flammability at District 8 Manhole A0010
On Monday, October 31 at 1500 hours Albert Steele of the Compton Yard Sewer
Monitoring Section reported to John Boyd a high LEL reading (LEL = 37%) at District 8 J.O. ‘A’
manhole A0010. Investigation by Senior IW Inspector Steve Sealy at likely industrial sources
included inspections at the Conoco Phillips Oil Refinery and a Shell Oil Products operated
petroleum terminal operation (storage and mixing of petroleum and gasoline products). No source
for the high LEL was identified. The investigation results indicated the high LEL level did not
persist beyond 10-31-11.
There were no incidents at this manhole in October 2011 other than the one noted as part of
the October 5, 2011 series of high LEL readings-see report above.
There were no incidents at this manhole in October 2011 other than the one noted as part of
the October 5, 2011 series of high LEL readings-see report above.
FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2011
Long Beach Low pH
On Tuesday, November 1 at 1300 hours Long Beach TPO Bob Dunn and STPO Ijaz
Chaudry notified John Boyd that the WRP was experiencing a severe low pH incident. Influent pH
began dropping at 1235 hours, reaching a low of 1.90 within 10 minutes, staying there for
approximately 10 minutes, then quickly recovering (see Figure1). Operators took a grab sample of
the low pH influent at 1250 hours and reported it had a light/tan color and a slight sulfide odor.
Analysis of the sample found it had elevated levels of iron (test result=64.9 mg/l, LBWRP average
raw influent iron concentration=1.5 mg/l), indicating that the acidic material that caused the
incident may have been a ferric or ferrous solution. Inspection of likely industrial sources did not
reveal a source for this incident. It was suspected that the 10,000-gallon of ferrous chloride
solution stored onsite at the WRP and added to the WRP waste line for sulfide control may have
been the low pH source. However, review of the ferrous chloride addition station operations on
11-1-11 found no evidence that any of the solution was lost or had somehow found its way into the
plant influent line.
Figure 1: LBWRP 11-1-2011 influent chart showing low pH spike.
San Gabriel River High Toxicity
On Monday, November 21 at 0900 hours Districts’ Supervising Biologist Carlita Barton
notified John Boyd that laboratory technicians had found high toxicity levels, due to high residual
chlorine concentrations, at a storm drain outfall into the San Gabriel river about 100-150 yards
downstream of the SJC 001 monitoring location where treated effluent from the San Jose Creek
WRP discharges into the river. Technicians reported the stormdrain water was completely
independent of the WRP effluent water and had a residual chlorine concentration of 6.99 mg/l at
0955 hours on Friday, 11-18-11 and 0.5 mg/l at 0844 hours on Saturday, 11-19-11. Barton
requested IW assistance in determining the source of the high chlorine levels.
Figure 2: Aerial photo showing the SJC WRP outfall into the San Gabriel
River, stormdrain where high residual chlorine concentrations were noted by
Districts lab technicians.
Investigation by Senior IW Inspector Juan Sanchez of the area tributary to the storm drain where
the high residual chlorine levels were detected did not identify a source for the chlorine. The area
primarily consists of the Rio San Gabriel Public Park and adjacent residential areas. Investigation
of the limited industrial sources in the area, including a Dodge dealership and large vehicle body
shop operation found no evidence of high chlorine discharge. It was noted that by the time the
high chlorine levels were reported, a moderate rainstorm had occurred on Sunday, 11-20-11,
resulting in 0.64 inches of rain falling in the area. This rain probably swept away the high chlorine
water noted in the stormdrain, thus eliminating the ability of inspectors to trace it to an upstream
source. Inspectors suspect the most likely was a homeowner draining a swimming pool into the
stormdrain.
During the month of November 2011, Operators at the Lancaster WRP reported 3 incidents of high
dissolved oxygen levels and excessive amounts of foam in the Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR)
tanks on November 2, November 28, and November 29. These three incidents bring the 2011 total
for such reports to six. Plant operators arrive in the morning hours and find evidence that foam
had overflowed the MBR tanks overnight. Plant data records indicate that the dissolved oxygen
level in the MBR mix tanks rises to maximum levels overnight, then slowly return to normal. The
foaming events are limited to the MBR unit with no physical evidence of any abnormalities in the
treatment plant influent, primary settling tanks, or aeration ponds. Composite samples of the
primary effluent for the periods of 2pm-6pm, 6pm-10pm and 10pm-2am prior to both the 11/28
and 11/29 foam incidents were collected and tested for heavy metals and COD. All the testing
results show normal levels of COD and no metals. Inspectors will continue to canvas the upstream
area for possible sources. MBR tank D.O and foam levels returned to normal within a day
following each report.
Figure 3: MBR tank at Lancaster WRP on 11-28-11. Note the foam
residual on the side of the tank as well as the tarps put out by operators
to contain the overflowing foam.
Los Coyotes Solvent Odor
On Friday, November 18 at 1210 hours Los Coyotes WRP TPO Araceli Franco reported to
John Boyd that WRP operators had noted a solvent odor at the process control building and at the
aeration tanks. Boyd immediately contacted Supervisor of Sewer Maintenance William Foley at
Compton Yard. Foley reported that there was ongoing sewer rehabilitation work (i.e. relining)
being done on the South Whittier Outfall Relief Trunk along Gridley Road just north of Alondra
Blvd immediately upstream of LCWRP. The relining work involves the use of resins which are
cured in-place using hot steam, generating the type of solvent odors that are essentially identical to
that reported by the LCWRP operators. Inspectors believe the relining project was the sole source
of the solvent odors at LCWRP.
Excessive Greasing on the Downey-Bellflower Trunk in Downey
On Wednesday, November 16 at 1300 hours Supervisor of Sewer Maintenance Bill Balas
reported to John Boyd that sewer cleaning crews had encountered very heavy greasing between
manholes 02 0248 and 02 0246 on the Downey-Bellflower trunk at the intersection of Serapis Ave
and Telegraph Rd. Crews reported the grease was white colored and “chalky” in appearance and
texture (see figure 4 photo). Balas reported the line was last cleaned in December 2010 and is
normally cleaned annually. However, due to the heaving greasing encountered this year, the
cleaning frequency will be increased to twice per year. Investigation of the areas upstream of the
greasing location by Senior IW Inspector Juan Sanchez and Inspector Jason Finn didn’t reveal a
“smoking gun” source. However, many restaurants that lacked standard grease interceptors were
noted. Additionally, local agency sewer maintenance officials from the LA County Dept of Public
works and City of Downey were contacted. They reported long-term problems with excessive
greasing in a local sewer line tributary to the greasing location. Specifically, the local line at True
Ave and Telegraph Rd in Downey was identified. This line receives wastewater from an area that
is essentially exclusively residential. The local officials stated they believe the excessive greasing
is primarily caused by grease from residential homes, not industrial or commercial operations.
When asked by IW Inspectors how the excessive grease is dealt with, the Downey official
emphatically stated that when heavy greasing is encountered during hydrojetting operations his
crews call for a vacuum truck to collect the grease, instead of pushing it down the lines where it
would later accumulate in the Districts’ trunk sewer. IW inspectors are continuing to identify
restaurants in the area that lack proper grease control devices. The LADPW volunteered to assist
in the ongoing investigation by notifying IW inspectors when they plan to perform maintenance in
local lines in order to help identify areas where the grease is coming from. Finally, inspectors
continue to search for an industrial source for the grease.
Figure 4: Screen shot from CCTV video taken of grease in the DowneyBellflower trunk between manholes 02 0247 and 02 0248 on 11-16-11.
Excessive Greasing on the City Terrace Trunk
On Friday, November 18 at 0905 hours Supervisor of Sewer Maintenance Bill Balas
reported to John Boyd that sewer maintenance crews had encountered heavy greasing between
manholes 02 2066 and 02 2065 on the City Terrace trunk at the intersection of Alma St and
Blanchard St in the City Terrace area of East Los Angeles. These two manholes represent a single,
very short 10’ reach of a double barrel gas trap that is branched off the main part of the trunk (see
figure 5 attachment). The gas trap lines are only 8” in diameter. The gas trap receives wastewater
from a fairly limited upstream area. Due to the small sizes of the lines and a history of greasing
problems, pump plant maintenance crews check the gas trap weekly. These checks have revealed a
dramatic increase in the rate of grease accumulation since late August 2011. This has caused the
cleaning frequency to be increased from quarterly to weekly to minimize the chances of a greasecaused SSO from occurring. Inspector Steve Wittmer conducted the investigation. The area
upstream of the gas trap is almost exclusively residential. No industries, restaurants, or large
shopping centers were noted in the influent area. No potential source for the grease was identified
other that the residential homes. IW inspectors continue to look for a source.
Figure 5: Sewer map showing the area of the City Terrace trunk sewer
where greasing was reported on 11-18-11.
On Monday, November 28 at 1335 hours Supervising Engineering Technician Albert
Steele of the Compton Yard Sewer Monitoring Section reported to John Boyd a high LEL reading
(LEL = 40% at 1242 hours) at District 8 J.O. ‘A’ manhole A0010. As with all recent similar
reports of high LEL at MH A10, an investigation by Senior IW Inspector Steve Sealy at the
Conoco Phillips Oil Refinery found no evidence the refinery had discharged anything that would
have caused the high LEL reading. Inspectors suspect the high LEL is from from methane
generated during sewage degradation, which periodically collects in the line. Should reports of
high LEL at MH A10 persist, inspectors may conduct a comprehensive sampling and testing
program to try to determine if the source of the high LEL is methane generated due to sewage
degradation or hydrocarbons from an as yet unidentified industrial source. Sealy and IW Inspector
Polina Voylokov found that the LEL level at MH A10 had fallen to 12% by 1511 hours on 11-2811.
On Monday, November 28 at 1335 hours Supervising Engineering Technician Albert Steele at
the Compton Field Office telephoned John Boyd to report that a Compton Technician had detected
elevated LEL=32% at 1225 hours using a hand-held ATX explosimeter at manhole B18A during
routine checks on their sulfide/LEL route. This manhole is the connection point that receives over
5 MGD of treated wastewater from the BP Refinery. Senior IW Inspector Steve Sealy and IW
Inspector Michael Placencia found that the LEL level at MH B18A had fallen to 13% by 1540
hours on 11-28-11.
The most recent lab analyses for the BP oil refinery was on March 30, 2011 when Sealy
measured LEL=34% at manhole B18A. He measured LEL=19% at the BP refinery sampling point
and submitted a refinery effluent water sample to the SJCWQ Lab for modified 8015 scan for total
petroleum hydrocarbons. The results showed:
Oil range organics
12 mg/l
6.4 mg/l
1.5 mg/l
Benzene
Toluene
m+p-Xylenes
o-Xylene
Ethylbenzene
1,2-Butadiene
Chloroform
4.9 ppm
3.6 ppm
2.8 ppm
9.7 ppm
5.2 ppm
17 ppm
3.8 ppm
2011 former Supervising IW Inspector Bill Garrett ( now retired) discussed another option with
Wastewater Collections System Manager Sam Espinoza: there is a possibility that the Districts
could install a temporary trailer-mounted gas removal system over manhole B18A to remove the
flammable hydrocarbons and bill the refinery for all costs associated with that effort. Mr.
Espinoza agreed to consider assigning one of his engineers to explore the feasibility and cost of
this option.
On Monday, November 28 at 1335 hours Supervising Engineering Technician Albert
Steele at the Compton Field Office telephoned John Boyd to report that a Compton Technician had
detected elevated LEL>100% at 1326 hours using a hand-held ATX explosimeter at manhole
B18A during routine checks on their sulfide/LEL route. The most recent headspace sample from
manhole B902 was taken at 1415 hours on May 10, 2011 when an LEL reading of 63% in the
headspace caused IW inspectors to request a methane concentration analysis and a hydrocarbon
scan from the JWPCP Air Lab. The JWPCP Air Lab reported that the MH B902 headspace gas
sample collected on 5-10-11 contained 4.13% methane by volume, accounting for virtually all of
the 63% LEL. Based on this result, the lab did not complete any further analyses for other sources
of flammable hydrocarbons. Laboratory analyses of the headspace gases at this manhole have
consistently shown that the flammability is due predominantly to methane. It is unlikely that
industrial discharges are responsible for the elevated flammability at this manhole. Senior IW
Inspector Steve Sealy and IW Inspector Polina Voylokov found that the LEL level at MH B902
had fallen to 23% by 1450 hours on 11-28-11.
FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2011
Harbor City Oil Spill
On Friday, December 2 at approximately 0730 hours Supervising IW Inspector David
Sanchez noted that the California Emergency Agency (Cal EMA) website listed an ongoing oil
spill event where an unknown amount of oil had been released from a broken pipeline. The report
indicated the oil was entering the storm drain and had been released from a site at 24050 S.
Frampton Ave in the Harbor City section of the City of Los Angeles. Senior IW Inspector Steve
Sealy and IW Inspector Shawn Cleaver immediately responded to the site location. Upon arrival at
the site at 0830 hours, they made contact with California Department Fish and Game Agent Sau
Garcia. The investigation determined that a shallow underground 3” diameter crude oil pipeline
from a nearby oil production field operated by Brea Canon Oil Co had broken causing
approximately 40 gallons of crude oil to make its way to the surface in a parking lot area, where it
was observed seeping up through a from a crack in the pavement, ultimately running off into the
adjacent street gutter. The broken section of the pipe was excavated and repaired. The spilled oil
was collected and the parking lot and gutter areas steam cleaned. All the oil and wastewater was
collected and hauled back to the crude oil well production site where it was processed to recover
the oil. Wastewater generated from the processing operation was re-injected into the subsurface
oil producing formation.
Figure 1: Workers cleaning oil contaminated stormdrain gutter area
on 240th street in Harbor City.
Request to Discharge Contaminated Rainwater in Azusa
On Monday, December 12 at 1245 hours Superintendent of Sewer Maintenance Doug
Walton notified John Boyd that he had received a request from Manual Ambriz, LADPW Flood
Control Supervisor, that rainwater contaminated with roofing mastic be allowed to be discharged
to the sewer. The Azusa U.S. Post Office, located at 600 N. Azusa Ave, was in the process of
repainting their roof with Henry Products roof mastic coating Permax 108-CA, when a moderate
rainstorm (rainfall total=0.79”) occurred on December 12, causing rainwater contaminated with the
product to runoff the roof. Temporary berms prevented the water from entering the storm drain.
The MSDS for the roofing mastic was reviewed by Boyd and indicated the material contained high
concentrations of zinc oxide (0.5-5.0% by weight). Due to the presence of the zinc, a regulated
DOC #: 2158804
toxic heavy metal, as well as the unknown concentration of the roofing material in the runoff, the
request to divert the runoff to the sewer was denied. Ambriz agreed to instruct the post office to
obtain a portable holding tank to receive and hold the contaminated rainwater until appropriate
disposal could be arranged.
WhiteWave Foods Surface Spill
On Tuesday, December 13 Joe Dominguez, a consultant for WhiteWave Foods Company
in the City of Industry, notified IW Inspector Elaine Myrick that during the previous day (12/12) at
0620 hours an electrical failure caused a pump malfunction, which in turn caused an unknown, but
relatively limited, quantity of wastewater to overflow a collection sump at their wastewater
treatment system. The wastewater, which contained soymilk and dairy product residuals, flowed
into a parking lot drain which fed into the adjacent storm drain channel (San Jose Creek) for
approximately 25 minutes before power to the pump was restored. LA County Health Hazmat and
the California Department of Fish and Game were immediately notified of the spill and responded
to the scene. Per Dominguez, due to the relatively non-toxic nature of the material spilled, its
limited volume, and the fact that at the time of the spill there was a large amount of rainwater flow
in the receiving creek, Fish and Game Officers determined no further action was needed to cleanup
or mitigate the spill. None of the spilled material was discharged to the sewer, nor impacted
Districts’ operations.
Santa Fe Springs Sulfide Odor
On Tuesday, December 20 at 1045 hours Superintendent of Sewer Maintenance Doug
Walton and Supervising Engineering Technician Bill Rounds called Coordinating IW Inspector
Bill Barnum and reported that Rounds had noticed a strong “rotten egg” odor the previous evening
at approximately 2045 hours along Florence Avenue in the City of Santa Fe Springs near the
location of Lakeland Development Company. Rounds, who lives in the vicinity of where he
noticed the foul odors, reported that he had previously noted the same odor on 12-12-11 and has
received complaints about foul odors from area residents. Lakeland Development Company is a
large centralized waste treatment facility that receives loads of oily wastewater and groundwater
from outside generators. The loads are treated and then discharged to the sewer. The potential for
highly odorous batches of wastewater to be received is present. However, inspection and review of
site records at Lakeland on 12-20-11 by IW Inspector Traci Stahl found no evidence that indicated
wastewater with a foul odor was discharged on 12-19-11. Night team IW Inspector Andrew
Hoekstra conducted multiple odor checks in this area from December 20th to December 23rd at
1830 hours, 2100 hours and 2200 hours. No unusual or “rotten egg” (hydrogen sulfide) type odors
were detected during any of these checks, including those conducted immediately adjacent to the
industrial wastewater outfall at Lakeland Development Company. IW Inspectors continue to
periodically check the area for unusual odors. Should foul odors be detected IW inspectors will
attempt to determine the source, require mitigation of the cause, take enforcement action, and
make referrals to outside agencies as appropriate.
Peck Road Pump Plant Foam
On Thursday, December 22 at 2150 hours Districts Pump Plant operator Dennis Craft
called John Boyd and reported he had just noted moderate levels of white foam in the Peck Road
Pump Plant in El Monte. He reported the foam appeared to be several inches thick, but was not
interferring with pump plant operations. Night IW Inspector Kent McIntosh immediately
responded to the site, meeting with Craft at 2230 hours. The follow-up investigation by McIntosh,
and day shift Inspectors Pat Cashen and James McCurdy determined that the source of the foam is
egg albumin material discharged by C B Nichols Egg Ranch. HPLC scan analyses were conducted
comparing grab samples from the Peck Rd Pump Plant and C B Nichols Egg Ranch . The test
results indicated a match, with both having a strong absorbance in the 260-280 nm range, with a
DOC #: 2158804
maximum at 285 nm, at a retention time of 0.38 minutes. C B Nichols Egg Ranch cleans,
sanitizes, and packages whole eggs. Equipment sanitation operations are conducted between
2100-2400 hours daily resulting in albumin containing wastewater being discharged into the sewer,
which then appears as foam in the pump plant due to the turbulent conditions there. The company
was encouraged to reduce the egg waste discharged to the sewer. According to a recent 2011
inspection, egg breakage during the first rinse is now collected and hauled offsite. This is the first
foaming call the IW section has received the Peck Road Pump Plant since 2006. In 2006, there
were high-level alarm problems due to excessive foam in the pump plant wet well. At that time, a
sonic transducer was used to register flow, but a few years ago the transducer was replaced with a
subsurface capacitance probe. Instrumentation has since been changed to a differential pressure
level sensor so foam has no effect on pump operations. The amount of foam observed in the wet
well does not represent a threat to pump plant operations nor is excessive foaming in the sewer
lines upstream or downstream of the Peck Road Pump Plant being observed. No further
investigation or follow-up by the IW inspection staff is anticipated at this time.
Figure 2: White foam in the Peck Road Pump Plant wet well at 2237
hours on 12-22-11.
Excessive Foam and Elevated Dissolved Oxygen at the Lancaster WRP MBR (continuing
Investigation)
During the month of December 2011, operators at the Lancaster WRP reported incidents of high
dissolved oxygen levels and excessive amounts of foam in the Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR)
tanks on December 19th and 20th. These incidents bring the 2011 total for such reports to eight.
Plant operators arrive in the morning hours and find evidence that foam has overflowed the MBR
tanks overnight. Plant data records indicate that the dissolved oxygen level in the MBR mix tanks
rises to maximum levels overnight, then quickly returns to normal within a few hours. The
foaming events are limited to the MBR unit with no physical evidence of any abnormalities in the
treatment plant influent, primary settling tanks, or aeration ponds. Investigation by IW Inspector
James McCurdy noted that the contractor for the new treatment plant, currently undergoing the
final stages of construction and beginning of process testing, has been periodically using MBR
effluent as test water in the new WRP tanks, including the dissolved air filtration (DAF) tanks. The
DOC #: 2158804
contractor adds copper sulfate to the water to control algae. This water is then periodically drained
back into the old WRP’s influent line late in the afternoon. On 12-21-11 McCurdy obtained grab
samples from the new DAF and chlorine contact tanks and submitted them for heavy metals
analysis. The amount of time needed for wastewater to drain from the new tanks and then re-enter
the existing plant's MBR tanks is estimated to be 3-4 hours, which coincides with the time of the
rise in D.O. It's possible the toxic copper sulfate is killing a portion of the bacteria in the MBR
mix tanks, which in turn causes a surge in D.O. and excessive foaming. Inspectors continue to
examine all possible sources for the high D.O./foaming events.
Nadeau Trunk Sand and Gravel Debris
On Thursday, December 29 at 0850 hours Supervisor Of Sewer Maintenance Rick Pearce
called IW Section Head Dave Snyder and reported his crews had encountered unusual amounts of
sand and gravel in the 18” Nadeau Trunk sewer between manholes 01 0325 and 01 0322. Pearce
described the sand and gravel as “the usual egg-shell crunchy stuff”. The initial investigation by
IW inspectors found no evidence for an industrial source for the debris. However, inspectors did
note what appeared to be potable water bubbling up from a crack in the street very close to MH 01
0328. Discussions with workers at a City of Los Angeles maintenance yard located immediately
adjacent to bubbling water crack indicated that this leaking water first appeared on Tuesday, 1227-11 and probably indicated the latest in a series of water main line breakages at this location
over the previous 2 years, one of which resulted in the creation of a sink hole. Supervising IW
Inspector John Boyd immediately contacted the local water purveyor, Golden State Water
Company. The water company responded immediately to the site, excavated the 8” water line,
confirmed it was leaking badly and repaired it (see photos below). Boyd also contacted Districts’
Superintendent of Sewer Maintenance Doug Walton who arranged for the Nadeau trunk in this
area to be CCTV’d to determine if it had been damaged as a result of the water line failures. The
CCTV work was conducted by Districts’ crews at 0800 hours on Friday, 12-30-11. The CCTV
indicated only typical amounts of exposed aggregate in the trunk line with no evidence found that
the water line failures impacted the line. After a further review of the amount and nature of debris
found, as well as the results of the CCTV, Pearce notified IW Senior Inspector Steve Sealy that the
debris originally reported was most likely due to normal sewer cleaning operations conducted on a
moderately corroded sewer such as the Nadeau Trunk is known to be. Pearce stated Compton
maintenance would continue to follow-up to determine options for the repair of the trunk.
DOC #: 2158804
Figure 3: Sand and gravel debris removed by sewer crews from the
Nadeau trunk sewer on 12-29-11.
Figure 4: Crack and leaking water from broken water main noted on
Fir St by IW Inspectors on 12-29-11.
DOC #: 2158804
Figures 5 and 6: Golden State Water Company repair crews onsite on Fir St late on 12-29-11
and the 8” water main that was excavated and successfully repaired.
Pomona Pump Plant #4 Ammonia Odor
On Friday, December 30 at 1320 hours Districts Stationary mechanic Craig Huntoon
reported a faint ammonia odor was present at the Pomona Pump Plant #4 at 1317 hours. Huntoon
reported the same odor was also present the previous day at noon. IW Inspectors Andrew Hoekstra
and Peter Carlstrom investigated this report. Upon arrival onsite at the pumping plant at 1400
hours on 12-30-11 Hoekstra didn’t detect ammonia or any other unusual odors. The area upstream
of the pumping plant, being relatively limited in size, was thoroughly canvassed. However, no
source for the ammonia odor was found. Inspectors plan to use the information gained during their
investigation to increase investigation efficiency should a similar odor at the pump plant be
reported again.
Update on San Gabriel River High Toxicity
On Monday, November 21 at 0900 hours Districts’ Supervising Biologist Carlita Barton
notified John Boyd that laboratory technicians had found high toxicity levels, due to high residual
chlorine concentrations, at a storm drain outfall into the San Gabriel river about 100-150 yards
downstream of the SJC 001 monitoring location where treated effluent from the San Jose Creek
WRP discharges into the river. Technicians reported the stormdrain water was completely
independent of the WRP effluent water and had a residual chlorine concentration of 6.99 mg/l at
0955 hours on Friday, 11-18-11 and 0.5 mg/l at 0844 hours on Saturday, 11-19-11. Barton
requested IW assistance in determining the source of the high chlorine levels. The initial
Investigation by Senior IW Inspector Juan Sanchez of the area tributary to the storm drain where
the high residual chlorine levels were detected did not identify a source for the chlorine. The
investigation was hindered by rainfall runoff on 11-20-11, which washed away the water
containing high chlorine concentrations. The initial investigation determined the most likely
source was a homeowner draining a swimming pool into the stormdrain.
On Thursday, 12-22-12 Supervising IW Inspector David Sanchez performed a follow-up
inspection at a Pacific Collision Center, an auto body repair operation located in the area influent
to the stromdrain where high chlorine was found. The inspection was performed to address
problems with timely access that were encountered during the initial site inspection conducted by
Juan Sanchez on 11-21-11. During his follow-up inspection, David Sanchez noticed a employee
using a bucket full of bleach and water solution to mop down paved outside areas. Questioning of
the employee revealed that he routinely did this. This wash water flows into a swale and then
DOC #: 2158804
offsite to the stormdrain where the high chlorine levels were noted by Districts’ lab technicians in
mid-November. Sanchez advised site managers to have the employee cease using chlorine solution
to mop their outside areas. They readily agreed to do so.
On Friday, December 30 at 1250 hours Supervising Engineering Technician Albert Steele
of the Compton Yard Sewer Monitoring Section reported to John Boyd a high LEL reading (LEL
= 37% at 1050 hours) at District 8 J.O. ‘A’ manhole A0916. Inspections on 12-30-11 by IW
Inspector Jessi Kerins at the two most likely industrial sources for the high LEL, Paramount
Petroleum in Paramount and Edgington Oil Company LL in Long Beach, found no evidence that
either had caused or contributed to the high LEL condition noted at the manhole.
Elevated Flammability at District 8 Manhole A10 (continuing investigation)
On Tuesday, December 20 at 1325 hours Supervising Engineering Technician Albert
Steele of the Compton Yard Sewer Monitoring Section reported to CI Bill Barnum a high LEL
reading (LEL = 49% at 1257 hours) at District 8 J.O. ‘A’ manhole A0010. The investigation by
Supervising IW Inspector David Sanchez and Inspector Jason Finn found no evidence of an
industrial source for the high LEL condition at the manhole. Inspectors suspect the high LEL is
from methane generated during sewage degradation, which periodically collects in the line.
Should reports of high LEL at MH A10 continue to persist, inspectors may conduct a
comprehensive sampling and testing program to determine if the source of the high LEL is
methane generated due to sewage degradation or hydrocarbons from an as yet unidentified
industrial source. Sanchez found that the LEL level at MH A10 was 22% at1430 hours on 12-2111.
Steele at the Compton Field Office telephoned CI Bill Barnum to report that a Compton
Technician had detected elevated LEL=27% at 1321 hours using a hand-held ATX explosimeter at
manhole B18A during routine checks on their sulfide/LEL route. On Friday, December 30 at 1250
hours Supervising Engineering Technician Albert Steele at the Compton Field Office telephoned
John Boyd to report that a Compton Technician had detected elevated LEL=29% at 1151 hours
using a hand-held ATX explosimeter at manhole B18A during routine checks on their sulfide/LEL
route.
This manhole is the connection point that receives over 5 MGD of treated wastewater from
the BP Refinery. Supervising IW Inspector David Sanchez found that the LEL level at MH B18A
had fallen to 14% by 1435 hours on 12=20.
The most recent lab analyses for the BP oil refinery was on March 30, 2011 when Senior
IW Inspector Sealy measured LEL=34% at manhole B18A. He measured LEL=19% at the BP
Oil range organics
12 mg/l
6.4 mg/l
1.5 mg/l
Benzene
Toluene
DOC #: 2158804
4.9 ppm
3.6 ppm
m+p-Xylenes
o-Xylene
Ethylbenzene
1,2-Butadiene
Chloroform
2.8 ppm
9.7 ppm
5.2 ppm
17 ppm
3.8 ppm
2011 former Supervising IW Inspector Bill Garrett (now retired) discussed another option with
Wastewater Collections System Manager Sam Espinoza: there is a possibility that the Districts
could install a temporary trailer-mounted gas removal system over manhole B18A to remove the
flammable hydrocarbons and bill the refinery for all costs associated with that effort. Mr.
Espinoza agreed to consider assigning one of his engineers to explore the feasibility and cost of
this option.
Steele at the Compton Field Office telephoned CI Bill Barnum to report that a Compton
Technician had detected elevated LEL=95% at 1205 hours using a hand-held ATX explosimeter at
manhole B902 during routine checks on their sulfide/LEL route. On Friday, December 30 at 1250
hours Supervising Engineering Technician Albert Steele at the Compton Field Office telephoned
John Boyd to report that a Compton Technician had detected elevated LEL>100% at 1236 hours
using a hand-held ATX explosimeter at manhole B902 during routine checks on their sulfide/LEL
route. The most recent headspace sample from manhole B902 was taken at 1415 hours on May 10,
2011 when an LEL reading of 63% in the headspace caused IW inspectors to request a methane
concentration analysis and a hydrocarbon scan from the JWPCP Air Lab. The JWPCP Air Lab
reported that the MH B902 headspace gas sample collected on 5-10-11 contained 4.13% methane
by volume, accounting for virtually all of the 63% LEL. Based on this result, the lab did not
complete any further analyses for other sources of flammable hydrocarbons. Laboratory analyses
of the headspace gases at this manhole have consistently shown that the flammability is due
predominantly to methane. It is unlikely that industrial discharges are responsible for the elevated
flammability at this manhole. IW Inspector Shawn Cleaver found that the LEL level at MH B902
had fallen to 55% at 1408 hours on 12-20-11. IW Inspector Bill Barnum found that the LEL level
at MH B902 had fallen to 34% at 1340 hours on 12-30-11.
DOC #: 2158804
Incident Report
Incident Name:
LC 20110510 Extremely Elevated Turbidity
Incident Location
Incident Type:
16515 Piuma Avenue Cerritos
Treatment Plant NPDES Vio
Issue ID#
Craig Dering
Contact Name:
90703
Reported By:
65708
WRP
Incident History
Type
Date
Incident Name
INTRODUCTION
Characteristics:
Description of Material:
Secondary looked like untreated wastewater.
Incident Description:
On May 10, 2011 at 0330 hours on Tuesday morning Supervising TPO Craig Dering called Bill
Garrett to report that the Los Coyotes WRP secondary turbidity was 2 NTU at 2330 hours and
then deteriorated to "off the chart" elevated turbidity readings as the evening passed. Fred
Cannizzaro and Barbara Jenkins responded to the incident; team II Inspectors joined the
investigation at 0700 hours. Craig Dering and Fred Cannizzaro agreed that the incident was
unlike color incidents that the WRP occasionally experienced; the secondary tank effluent was
dark brown like "untreated wastewater". There was some visible floc in the secondary tanks.
There were no odors or pH changes or change in dissolved oxygen concentration as the turbidity
rose. Operators increased the oxygen concentration and the chemical dosage as a precaution.
The TPL ran COD and ammonia on several bucket samples. BG
PARTIES OF CONCERN
Facility
Permit No.
Permit Flow
N/A
WRP 2 LOS COYOTES WRP (2037914)
16515 Piuma Avenue
Cerritos, CA 90703
ATTACHMENTS
1
LC WRP turbidities 20110510.pdf
2
LCWRP Aeration Tank Foam 1
5/10/2011 1815 hours Aeration tank #8
3
LCWRP Aeration Tank Foam 2
05/10/2011 1815 hours Aeration tank #8
4
LCWRP Secondary Tank Effluent Foam
5
Carlita Barton Bio Assay e-mail
6
Pri Composite Bio+GC-MS Data
7
Exceedence Report LC May 10 2011.rtf
8
LCWRP PE Sample Results 6-6-11
05/10/2011 1820 hours Secondary effluent channel
Operations Report for Turbidity Violation
Analysis results for the LCWRP primary effluent composite sample taken
for comparison purposes on 6/5/11-6/6/11.
TEST KIT ANALYSES
Date/Time
Print Date:
2/15/2012
Sample Location
65,708
Inspector
Parameter
Test Result
D:\Temp\FSaleminik_ISS_INCIDENT_REPORT 7-13-10_1325508102_2012215_135038 {56C0A17E-F1BB-4DB7-B108-246C396F9EC7}.rp
Page 1 of 20
Incident Report
TEST KIT ANALYSES
Date/Time
Sample Location
Inspector
Parameter
Test Result
Allblack Company LLC
5/13/11 6:00 pm
013560A
AHoekstra
pH
8.9 S.U.
5/13/11 6:00 pm
013560A
AHoekstra
Color, Apparent
clear SCU
American Blending Co.
5/10/11 3:45 pm
016142A
KMcIntosh
pH
9.1 S.U.
5/10/11 3:45 pm
016142A
KMcIntosh
Color, Apparent
5/10/11 3:45 pm
016142A
KMcIntosh
Temperature
very slightly
cloudy SCU
22.2 Deg. C
Ameritex
5/12/11 5:30 pm
20192A
AHoekstra
pH
6.5 S.U.
5/12/11 5:30 pm
20192A
AHoekstra
Color, Apparent
5/12/11 5:30 pm
20192A
AHoekstra
Odor
cloudy white
SCU
none detected
Basic Chemical Solutions, LLC
5/10/11 12:00 am
012094A
BJenkins
Field pH
8.0 S.U.
5/10/11 12:00 am
012094A
BJenkins
Color, Apparent
colorless SCU
BCI Coca-Cola Bottling of Los Angeles
5/12/11 6:30 pm
015155A
5/12/11 6:30 pm
015155A
AHoekstra
pH
6.8 S.U.
AHoekstra
Color, Apparent
brown SCU
BEST BRANDS CORP
5/10/11 2:05 pm
016892A
JKerins
pH
7.06 S.U.
5/10/11 2:05 pm
016892A
JKerins
Color, Apparent
light red SCU
5/10/11 2:05 pm
016892A
JKerins
Odor
none detected
%
BJenkins
Field pH
7.0 S.U.
BJenkins
Color, Apparent
tan SCU
Blair Adhesive Products Inc.
5/10/11 12:00 am
014759A
5/10/11 12:00 am
014759A
BreitBurn Operating, L.P.
5/11/11 9:10 am
20072A
TStahl
Temperature
ambient Deg. C
5/11/11 9:10 am
20072A
TStahl
Lower Explosive Limit
(%)
0%
Brown Pacific Wire Inc.
5/13/11 2:48 pm
005869A
TStahl
pH
9.1 S.U.
5/13/11 2:48 pm
005869A
TStahl
Color, Apparent
clear SCU
5/13/11 2:48 pm
005869A
TStahl
Odor
None %
5/13/11 2:48 pm
005869A
TStahl
Temperature
Ambient Deg. C
5/13/11 2:48 pm
005869A
TStahl
Solids, Total
Dissolved
Bumble Bee Foods, LLC
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2/15/2012
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Incident Report
TEST KIT ANALYSES
Date/Time
Sample Location
Inspector
Parameter
Test Result
5/10/11 7:15 am
016412A
BJenkins
pH
7.0 S.U.
5/10/11 7:15 am
016412A
BJenkins
Color, Apparent
creamy white,
cloudy SCU
California Box Company
5/10/11 10:53 am
013476A
mplacencia
pH
5.79 S.U.
5/10/11 10:53 am
013476A
mplacencia
Color, Apparent
slight blue None
5/10/11 10:53 am
013476A
mplacencia
Odor
odorless None
5/10/11 10:53 am
013476A
mplacencia
Temperature
65 Deg. F
5/10/11 10:53 am
013476A
mplacencia
Sulfide, Total
ND mg/L
pH
9.8 S.U.
Cal-Tron Plating, Inc
5/13/11 7:48 am
002495A
TStahl
Crothall Laundry Services, Inc.
5/10/11 8:10 pm
016630A
DLee
Field pH
10.6 S.U.
5/10/11 8:10 pm
016630A
DLee
Color, Apparent
grey SCU
Day-Lee Foods, Inc.
5/10/11 10:15 pm
011906A
mplacencia
pH
7.20 S.U.
5/10/11 10:15 pm
011906A
mplacencia
Color, Apparent
colorless None
5/10/11 10:15 pm
011906A
mplacencia
Odor
5/10/11 10:15 pm
011906A
mplacencia
Temperature
slight food
None
64 Deg. F
5/10/11 10:15 pm
011906A
mplacencia
Sulfide, Total
ND mg/L
Liberty Vegetable Oil Co.
5/10/11 7:50 am
003699A
BJenkins
pH
7.0 S.U.
5/10/11 7:50 am
003699A
BJenkins
Color, Apparent
brown, murky
SCU
Orange County Chemical Supply
5/12/11 4:30 pm
017114A
AHoekstra
pH
10.5 S.U.
5/12/11 4:30 pm
017114A
AHoekstra
Color, Apparent
5/12/11 4:30 pm
017114A
AHoekstra
Odor
cloudy pink
SCU
none detected
%
Pico Rivera Plating Inc.
5/13/11 9:20 am
003195A
JSanchez
pH
9.0 S.U.
5/13/11 9:20 am
003195A
JSanchez
Color, Apparent
Clear SCU
Rich Products Corp.
5/10/11 2:27 pm
014946A
TStahl
pH
8.5 S.U.
5/10/11 2:27 pm
014946A
TStahl
Color, Apparent
milky white
SCU
Rich Products Corporation
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2/15/2012
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Incident Report
TEST KIT ANALYSES
Date/Time
Sample Location
5/10/11 2:35 pm
016122A
Inspector
Parameter
TStahl
Test Result
pH
9.1 S.U.
S. K. Dyeing & Washing Co.
5/10/11 11:30 pm
016020A
mplacencia
pH
10.61 S.U.
5/10/11 11:30 pm
016020A
mplacencia
Color, Apparent
colorless None
5/10/11 11:30 pm
016020A
mplacencia
Odor
odorless None
5/10/11 11:30 pm
016020A
mplacencia
Temperature
94 Deg. F
Safeway Stores, Inc.
5/17/11 2:42 pm
013324A
TStahl
pH
7 S.U.
5/17/11 2:42 pm
013324A
TStahl
Color, Apparent
clear SCU
5/17/11 2:42 pm
013324A
TStahl
Odor
none %
5/17/11 2:42 pm
013324A
TStahl
Temperature
ambient Deg. C
5/17/11 2:42 pm
013324A
TStahl
5/17/11 2:42 pm
013324A
TStahl
Solids, Total
Dissolved
Sulfide, Total
5/17/11 2:42 pm
013324A
TStahl
Total Hardness
5/17/11 2:42 pm
013324A
TStahl
Lower Explosive Limit
(%)
5/10/11 2:06 pm
004661A
SSealy
pH
7.4 S.U.
5/10/11 2:06 pm
004661A
SSealy
Color, Apparent
colorless SCU
5/10/11 2:06 pm
004661A
SSealy
Odor
sweet
Shasta Beverages, Inc.
5/10/11 3:07 pm
015351A
JKerins
pH
6.94 S.U.
5/10/11 3:07 pm
015351A
JKerins
Color, Apparent
light red SCU
5/10/11 3:07 pm
015351A
JKerins
Odor
sweet %
Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.
5/10/11 1:14 pm
20334A
mplacencia
pH
9.12 S.U.
5/10/11 1:14 pm
20334A
mplacencia
Color, Apparent
colorless None
5/10/11 1:14 pm
20334A
mplacencia
Odor
odoless None
5/10/11 1:14 pm
20334A
mplacencia
Temperature
70 Deg. F
Sonic Plating Co., Inc.
5/13/11 8:30 am
002295A
JSanchez
pH
11.1 S.U.
5/13/11 8:30 am
002295A
JSanchez
Color, Apparent
Clear SCU
Univar USA
5/10/11 4:15 pm
20229A
KMcIntosh
pH
8.7 S.U.
5/10/11 4:15 pm
20229A
KMcIntosh
Color, Apparent
clear SCU
5/10/11 4:15 pm
20229A
KMcIntosh
Temperature
22.0 Deg. C
5/10/11 11:45 am
20229A
JKerins
pH
8.97 S.U.
5/10/11 11:45 am
20229A
JKerins
Color, Apparent
light beige SCU
5/10/11 11:45 am
20229A
JKerins
Odor
slightly stale %
WRP 2 LOS COYOTES WRP
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Incident Report
TEST KIT ANALYSES
Date/Time
Sample Location
Inspector
Parameter
Test Result
6/6/11 10:00 pm
015305I
FCannizzaro
pH
7.6 S.U.
5/10/11 1:25 am
015305I
FCannizzaro
pH
7.19 S.U.
5/9/11 10:00 am
015305I
FCannizzaro
pH
7.31 S.U.
5/9/11 2:00 pm
015305I
FCannizzaro
pH
7.41 S.U.
5/9/11 6:00 pm
015305I
FCannizzaro
pH
7.45 S.U.
LABORATORY ANALYSYES
Date/Time
Sample Location
Sample Location Description
Sample No.
Parameter
Facility ID:
Test Results
Inspector
2037914
5/10/11 1:25 am
015305I
Primary Effluent
Cadmium, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/10/11 1:25 am
015305I
Primary Effluent
Chromium, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/10/11 1:25 am
015305I
Primary Effluent
Copper, Total
0.07
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/10/11 1:25 am
015305I
Primary Effluent
Lead, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/10/11 1:25 am
015305I
Primary Effluent
Nickel, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/10/11 1:25 am
015305I
Primary Effluent
Silver, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/10/11 1:25 am
015305I
Primary Effluent
Zinc, Total
0.11
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/10/11 1:25 am
015305I
Primary Effluent
MBAS
NA
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/10/11 1:25 am
015305I
Primary Effluent
NID
NA
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 10:00 am
015305I
Primary Effluent
Cadmium, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 10:00 am
015305I
Primary Effluent
Chromium, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 10:00 am
015305I
Primary Effluent
Copper, Total
0.07
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 10:00 am
015305I
Primary Effluent
Lead, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 10:00 am
015305I
Primary Effluent
Nickel, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 10:00 am
015305I
Primary Effluent
Silver, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 10:00 am
015305I
Primary Effluent
Zinc, Total
0.11
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 10:00 am
015305I
Primary Effluent
MBAS
NA
mg/L FCannizzaro
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2/15/2012
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Incident Report
5/9/11 10:00 am
015305I
Primary Effluent
NID
NA
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 2:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
Cadmium, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 2:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
Chromium, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 2:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
Copper, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 2:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
Lead, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 2:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
Nickel, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 2:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
Silver, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 2:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
Zinc, Total
0.10
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 2:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
MBAS
NA
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 2:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
NID
NA
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 6:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
Cadmium, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 6:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
Chromium, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 6:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
Copper, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 6:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
Lead, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 6:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
Nickel, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 6:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
Silver, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 6:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
Zinc, Total
0.11
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 6:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
MBAS
NA
mg/L FCannizzaro
5/9/11 6:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
NID
NA
mg/L FCannizzaro
6/6/11 10:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
11060700395
Cadmium, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
6/6/11 10:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
11060700395
Chromium, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
6/6/11 10:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
11060700395
Copper, Total
0.08
mg/L FCannizzaro
6/6/11 10:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
11060700395
Lead, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
6/6/11 10:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
11060700395
Nickel, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
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2/15/2012
65,708
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Incident Report
6/6/11 10:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
11060700395
Silver, Total
ND
mg/L FCannizzaro
6/6/11 10:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
11060700395
Zinc, Total
0.10
mg/L FCannizzaro
6/6/11 10:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
11060700395
Fathead
96h-Acute-Title22
35.4
FCannizzaro
6/6/11 10:00 pm
015305I
Primary Effluent
11060700395
GC/MS Scan
See,Notes.
FCannizzaro
VIOLATION / ENFORCEMENT
Company Name
Sample Location
Violation Date
Type of Violation
Enforcement Action
Status
Inspector
Univar USA
20229A
05/10/2011
Defective Equipment
Verbal Warning
In Enforcement
jkerins
015351A
05/10/2011
Defective Equipment
Verbal Warning
Resolved
jkerins
NOTES ABOUT INCIDENT INQUIRY
5/10/2011 At approximately 1800 hours IWI's Lee and Jenkins met with TPO's Araceli Franco and Matt Linn at LCWRP
to get an update on plant operations. The operators stated that all indicators show that the treatment process was
returning to normal with turbidities trending downward. Final turbidity was 2.1 and secondary was 4.5. Influent flows
have returned to normal with plant flow at 37 MGD. The operators said that there was still a large amount of light brown
foam overflowing from aeration tank #8 but tanks #11 and #7, which were overflowing earlier in the day, have subsided.
They added that at one point today the foam in the channel d/s of the secondary tanks (white in color) was so bad that
there was foam coming out of some manholes in the roadway west of the secondary tanks. Speculation is that foam in
the aeration tanks was/is caused by the operational increase in air rate developing filamental Nocardia bacteria and the
white foam d/s of the secondary tanks is from the large amount of polymer added to the tanks in attempt to increase
solids settling (decrease turbidity). IWIs Lee and Jenkins toured the plant and took photos of the aeration foam as well
as the foam d/s of the secondary tanks. DL
At midnight on 5/11 IWI Lee returned to LCWRP for an update and met with TPO Mike Hunter who stated that turbidities
have returned to normal: Final= 0.9 NTU Sec=1.6 NTU. Brown foam was still seen overflowing from aeration tank #8.
Operators commented that this foam will be evident for a day or two until bacteria populations return to normal. DL
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2/15/2012
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Incident Report
There were four samples retained for this incident. Fred Cannizzaro submitted them to the SJC lab on an "upset" priority:
May 9 1000-1400
May 9 1400-1800
May 9 1800-2200
May 10 0125 hours
primary bkt #2
primary bkt #3
primary bkt #4
primary grab
11051100492
11051100493
11051100490
11051100491
Each of the above samples were split into three 250 ml jars:
One each for metals
one each for GCMS scan for organics - X03 by Larry Neisess at the SJC lab
to meet volume requirements the four remaining 250 ml samples may be composited into a single sample for
bio-toxicity for Carlita Barton in the Bio lab
Michael Azin in the lab is juggling the LIMS number assignment.
The LC WRP TPL performed the following tests for this incident:
mg/l COD
NH3
Total SS
primary composite: 458
31.5
118
pri bkt #2
284
40.2
pri bkt #3
373
31.5
pri bkt #4
615
30.6
IW will check the LC TPL to determine what the normal fluctuation is between buckets for COD and ammonia. FC/BG
Special primary effluent bucket analysis for COD and Ammonia were performed by the Los Coyotes Lab for primary
buckets and primary composites for 5/13/11 and 5/16/11. In comparison, Bucket #4 on the day of the upset had a
significantly elevated COD (615 mg/l). Buckets #2 and #3 on that day had COD levels that were somewhat lower than on
5/13/ and 5/16. Ammonia and suspended solids levels in all samples did not appear to deviate from the normal range.
Friday
5/13/2011 COD mg/l
Bucket 1
343
Bucket 2
439
Bucket 3
449
Bucket 4
429
Bucket 5
542
Bucket 6
517
Composite 448
NH3 mg/l Total SS mg/l
33.7
29.6
38.9
30.6
28.4
28.6
24.9
122
Monday
5/16/2011
Bucket 1
348
Bucket 2
320
Bucket 3
429
Bucket 4
451
Bucket 5
446
Bucket 6
424
Composite 410
32.7
39.7
37.6
26.7
27.2
30.1
32.1
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Incident Report
On 6/6/2011 aliquots from a composite sample made from primary effluent buckets 2, 3, and 4 collected on 6/6/2011
were submitted to SJC lab for a series of analyses. The treatment plant was operating well on this day. The analyses
requested were the same as those requested for primary bucket samples submitted in response to the high turbidity
incident on 5/10/2011: heavy metals, GC/MS Scan and a Toxicity Bioassay. The goal is to determine if there is a
significant difference between the 5/9 sample and the 6/6 sample for these parameters that might account for the poor
plant performance on 5/10. In addition, the LCWRP plant lab performed COD and NH4 analysis on individual primary
buckets 2, 3, and 4 for 6/5. Note that primary buckets were also analyzed for these parameters on 5/13/2011 and
5/16/2011, days when the plant was operating normally. The average COD value for bucket #4 for the three days
representing normal plant operation is 32% lower than the COD value for bucket #4 for the 5/9 – 5/10 upset.
Monday
6/6/2011
COD
Bucket 2
Bucket 3
Bucket 4
Composite
384 47.5
487 37.2
516 31.0
436
NH4
33.8
The analysis results for heavy metals, GC/MS Scan and a Toxicity Bioassay of the 6/6/11 indicated normal
concentrations of heavy metals, no constituents having any known toxilogical significance, and the exact same acute
toxicity scan result of 35.4% as found in the 5/9/11 sample. However, the levels of hexadecanoic and octadecanoic acid
in the primary composite were only about half the level found in the primary grab sample obtained on the day of the
upset. This result could reflect the dilutive effect inherent in using a 12-hour composite for the June 5th analysis.
Alternately it could indicate that a slug of higher strength wastewater from a food processing facility entered the plant on
May 5th. Lab Analyst Carlita Barton stated that the high toxicity result of 35.4% seen in both samples was typical and
what would be expected for a primary effluent sample taken during normal operating conditions.
CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS- IPACS
IW Inspectors investigated approximately forty industrial facilities in their effort to discover the source of wastewater that
had the detrimental effect on the treatment plant. No evidence was discovered that would indicate a slug release of toxic
or high strength industrial wastewater from these facilities.
Ammonia and COD levels for the primary effluent buckets were analyzed at the LCWRP Lab. Ammonia levels were within
the normal range. COD for buckets 2 and 3 were normal, but bucket #4 (1800 – 2200 hrs) had a COD about 32% higher
than the normal value for that daily time period.
The primary effluent composite buckets (2, 3, 4) for the period corresponding to the estimated time frame for effects noted
in the secondary tanks were analyzed at the SJC laboratory for heavy metals, potentially toxic compounds (GC/MS) and
fish mortality (Fathead 96 Hr-Acute-Title 22). Heavy metals were near or below analytical detection limits. The
predominate peaks found by the GC/MS scan were for hexadecanoic and octadeconoic acid. Both of these compounds
are common in wastewater and are constituents of vegetable based oils. No constituents having known toxicological
significance were detected. The results of the fish bioassay indicated a toxic effect in excess of what would be expected
for the amount of ammonia (ammonia was at normal primary effluent level in the samples) present in the primary samples
tested. The LC50 was 35.4% (50% survival at a primary effluent dilution of 33.4%), which was lower than the expected
survival level of 50% or greater.
The results of the primary effluent sample analyses for the 6/5/11-6/6/11 primary effluent sample essentially are
identical to the sample results for the samples taken when the incident occurred on 5/9/11-5/10/11 with the exception that
the 5/9-5/10 samples had a higher COD and the levels of hexadecanoic and octadecanoic acid were only about half the
level found in the primary grab sample obtained on the day of the upset. This data indicates the incident was likely caused
by a short duration inflow of very high COD material. Inspection at 37 possible sources for such a discharge of a high
COD slug discharge or a discharge of a toxic material found no evidence of a likely source. FC/JB.
INSPECTIONS TASK
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2/15/2012
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Incident Report
Facility ID
1974982
Sample Location
013560A
13090 Park Street Santa Fe Springs
Inspection Date: 05/13/2011
AHoekstra
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
Completed Successfully
Inspection comments:
Facility is a metal finisher with black oxide and phosphate processes, including chromate. Nothing unusual was observed and no
problems reported. Wastewater is batch treated and batch discharged daily. Oily waste being collected in a tote for disposal. Treatment
system operations appear normal.
Facility ID
2064222
Sample Location
016142A
13547 Pumice Street Norwalk
KMcIntosh
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90650
Request from Supervising IWI D. Lee to inspect in response to high turbidity at LCWRP last night and today.
This facility is a noncategorical, significant chemical formulator: The company blends, mixes, and repackages chemicals, mostly
cleaning compounds for restaurants and the metal-finishing industry.
Industrial-wastewater sources include rinses from the cleaning of the mixing tanks.
Pretreatment includes batch, manual pH neutralization and clarification through a four-stage, above-ground clarifier and sample box.
The contact says there has been nothing unusual this week; no evidence of any problems.
Ameritex
Facility ID
9242340
Sample Location
20192A
14600 Marquardt Avenue Santa Fe Springs
AHoekstra
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
Facility blends fabric softener and distributes other textile chemicals and dyes. My contact says there have been no spills or other
problems. Nothing unusual is observed. Work is reported to be slow; there is only one shift and my contact is the only person at the site
at this time.
Atlas Precious Metals Inc.
Facility ID
2025520
Sample Location
014531A
13128 Telegraph Road Santa Fe Springs
TStahl
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
Extreme Turbidity at LCWRP investigation. Co has vacated this situs, no forwarding address posted, phone disconnected. This does
not appear to be a recent event.
Facility ID
1921552
Inspector's Name:
Sample Location
BJenkins
012094A
Address:
12522 Los Nietos Road Santa Fe Springs
Status:
90670
1615 hours. Inspection part of investigation for elevated turbidity incident at LCWRP earlier today. Company is a bulk liquid chemical
distributor specializing in mostly acids, bases and oxidizers including sodium bisulfate (no soaps or detergents). Tonights contacts are
operations and maintenance supervisors who state nothing out of the ordinary (spills etc) has occurred in the past week. Wastewater
generated from exposed tanker loading ramps from 3 separates areas with grated drains leading to a large collection tank used for pH
neutralization. Wastewater is collected and treated in batches (approx 9k gal) prior to discharge. Logbook shows last batch treated
and discharged on 5/5/11. Treated water pumped to clarifier and sample box with pH recording system. Today wastewater in sample
box is clear and stagnant with a pH of 8. Company digital readout agrees. Company does not have and soaps or detergents onsite.
No evidence seen that would show this company caused the incident at LCWRP. DL
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2/15/2012
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Incident Report
Facility ID
1218424
Sample Location
015155A
8729 Cleta Street Downey
AHoekstra
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90241
The facility is one of the three largest industrial dischargers to LCWRP. No evidence was found to indicate that they contributed to the
elevated turbidity at LCWRP. The facility was apparently in normal production this week and my contacts report no spills or unusual
cleanup or maintenance activity. Their consultant was onsite 5/09, 10 & 11 for sampling and pH-meter calibration. My contacts said that
flawed concentrate is retained for remixing and not discharged. Defective product is routinely drained and crushed but this has been
only usual quanitities.
BEST BRANDS CORP
Facility ID
2099001
Sample Location
016892A
16424 VALLEY VIEW Avenue La Mirada
JKerins
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90638
Contact said there had been no spills or unusual operations. A plan inspection revealed no evidence of any recent spils nor unusual
operations. The IWW in the sample box had a pH of 7.06 and there seemed nothing unusual about it. The flow was approximately
3gpm. Kerins took a 500mL sample and stored it in the sample fridge at LCWRP.
No violations were observed and no evidence was found which indicated that this facily was the source of the turbibidity at LCWRP.
Facility ID
2015646
Sample Location
014759A
11034 Lockport Place Santa Fe Springs
BJenkins
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
1700 hours. Inspection part of investigation of high turbidity incident at LCWRP earlier today. Company is a medium sized chemical
blender making various water based glues and adhesives. Tonights contact is company purchasing/operations manager. Operations
include the blending of raw ingredients in large mixing vats with final product being shipped in 55 gal drums and 300 gal totes.
Wastewater is generated from the general water washing of mix vats, totes and drums (also boiler blowdown). Most washing done over
raised wash basin where workers use basin to sceen solids from water prior to it flowing to a trench leading to a standard 3 stg clarifier
and sample box. The contact states that no unusual activities have occurred recently. No evidence of any spills seen and contact
states nothing recorded in logbook. No flow during inspection in sample box with stagnant, tan pH 7 wastewater. Manifests show
clarifier last cleaned on 2/15/2011. No evidence seen that would show that this company caused the LCWRP incident. DL
Facility ID
9241884
Sample Location
20072A
10051 Romandel Avenue Santa Fe Springs
TStahl
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
Extreme Turbidity at LCWRP investigation. Co is a large oil producing operation. Flow chart shows no indication that they had any
unusual activity during the period of high turbidity at the plant. No sign of any unusual activity.
Facility ID
1448010
Inspector's Name:
Sample Location
TStahl
005869A
Address:
13639 Bora Drive Santa Fe Springs
Status:
90670
Extreme Turbidity at LCWRP investigation. Co claims no unusual activity, no sign of any spills; Co claims no large cleanup and no
dumping of tanks have occurred. No problems noted. Ph chart shows no spikes during that period.
Print Date:
2/15/2012
65,708
Page 11 of 20
Incident Report
Facility ID
2067191
Sample Location
016412A
13100 Arctic Circle Santa Fe Springs
BJenkins
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
Company discharges to the sewer 24 hours a day. They have two production periods: 0500-1530 hours and then1600-0330 hours.
According to the maintenance log book, all operations were okay on 05-09-2011. On 05-10-2011 between 0330-0400 hours, filler
machines were disassembled and assembled and cleaned using water only. The solids are collected and hauled offsite on
Wednesdays and Fridays. Once a week the tanks and floors are cleaned--last cleaning was on 05-06-2011. Do: produce canned tuna
for human consumption. Defrost the shipped-in frozen tuna loins, pack the tuna in pre-made shipped-in empty cans, and then sterilize
the product. Today at 0715 hours at the legal sample point (above-ground Parshall flume): the wastewater was cloudy creamy white,
field pH=7.0 vs recorder=7.05 vs meter=7.05, Q=80 gpm per recorder and digital readout, and totalizer=01062616 X 100 gals. Per flow
recorder, on 05-09-2011 between 2000-2040 hours there was no discharge to the sewer, and then continued their discharge at 80 gpm.
A sample of the wastewater was taken (not acidified) for comparsion with the treatment plant sample.
Facility ID
1970031
Sample Location
013476A
13901 Carmenita Road Santa Fe Springs
mplacencia
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
Inspection prompted by high-turbidity incident at LCWRP. Nothing at facility indicates that they contributed to the incident. Checked
their process control log, nothing out of the ordinary. No abnormal discharges, however they did have a large accumulation of floating
solids in their LSB. Contact notified that they would need to better maintain their pretreatment system to avoid buildup. pH was 5.79,
Total Sulfides ND, T in compliance. The issues noted at this facility did not contribute to the high-turbidity incident.
Facility ID
1590801
Sample Location
002495A
11919 Rivera Road Santa Fe Springs
TStahl
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
Extreme turbidity at LCWRP investigation, Co claims no unusual activity. Check of Large plating facility found no sign of any spills; co
claims no dumping of tanks. Nothing suspicious noted. Pretreatment appears to be functioning properly
CENTERLINE WHEEL CORP
Facility ID
2089534
Sample Location
Address:
AHoekstra
Inspector's Name:
13565 Freeway Drive Santa Fe Springs
Status:
90670
Facility manufactures wheels. Account mistakenly inactivated, as company is still in operation at the site. Permit 16500 was voided as
company decided to cease discharge. Permit was for alkaline cleaning and quench. Use soluble-oil coolant in machining - this waste if
dumped might cause problems at the WRP, and large sources of soluble coolant wastes from machining processes should be checked
for proper disposal of this waste. Denied access to inspect the facility late on Friday afternoon although there is still some production
activity at this time.
Chemical Transfer Co., Inc.
Facility ID
9244306
Inspector's Name:
Sample Location
AWoods
20545A
Address:
11910 Greenstone Avenue Santa Fe Springs
Status:
90670
1645 hours. The company’s trailer wash-rack is under construction and not operating. As such, there is no wastewater currently
generated at this site. According to the contact, the company expects the wash-rack to be completed in approximately four months.
Print Date:
2/15/2012
65,708
Page 12 of 20
Incident Report
Coast Thermal Processing
Facility ID
9243856
Sample Location
20403A
14365 Macaw Street La Mirada
AHoekstra
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90638
Facility had heat-treated aluminum, but the site is now vacant. Request will be made to inactivate the permit and the account.
Heat-treaters using glycol quench have on occasion requested CSD approval for sewering spent glycol, which is very high
strength/COD.
Facility ID
2081802
Sample Location
016630A
14710 Northam Street La Mirada
DLee
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90638
2000 hours. Inspection part of investigation into high turbidity incident earlier today at LCWRP. Company is an industrial laundry
operation specializing in mainly hospital linens. Operations are currently running 24 hours 7 days. Inspection contact is second shift
maintenance sup. who states that operations have been normal for past few days with nothing out of the ordinary occurring. Chemicals
including soaps, peroxides and bleach stored in large tankage outside within s/c area. Found area clean with no evidence of any spills.
Flow meter indicates typical fluctuating flows from 0-200 gpm for past 3 days with no outstanding increases or decreases. Current flow
to sewer is 82 gpm of grey pH 10.6 waastewater flowing over weir. Some white foam seen in afterbay, but not excessive. Flowmeter
sticker indicates calibration occurred earlier today. No evidence seen that shows this company caused the treatment plant issue. DL
DAP INC
Facility ID
1866382
Sample Location
Address:
AHoekstra
Inspector's Name:
14370 GANNET Street La Mirada
Status:
90638
Facility has been vacated by DAP, an adhesives manufacturer. Account erroneously still shown as active. The site is being prepared for
a new occupant but they are not yet moved-in and there is no discharge to the sewer.
Day-Lee Foods, Inc.
Facility ID
1914771
Sample Location
011906A
13055 Molette Street Santa Fe Springs
mplacencia
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
Inspection prompted by high-turbidity incident at LCWRP. Nothing at facility indicates that they contributed to the incident. No
abnormal discharges, plus they actually discharge in greater volume from 12AM-->6AM, which would have been too late in the night to
fit into the timetable of this incident. Effluent appeared slightly cloudy w/ a minor food smell. Total sulfides ND, w/ pH and T in
compliance.
Final Finish, Inc.
Facility ID
9244088
Sample Location
20472A
10910 Norwalk Boulevard Santa Fe Springs
JSanchez
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
No evidence found that this IU is the responsible party for this incident.
G & K Services, Co.
Facility ID
Print Date:
2/15/2012
1929243
65,708
Sample Location
012362A
Address:
14700 Spring Avenue Santa Fe Springs
90670
Page 13 of 20
Incident Report
TStahl
Inspector's Name:
Status:
Co is a commercial Laundry, No unusual activity noted. Contact claims nothing new, no spills and no unusual loads. Check of Flow
meter found no high spikes. No problems noted.
Facility ID
1929243
Sample Location
012362A
14700 Spring Avenue Santa Fe Springs
TStahl
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
LCWRP 20110510 Extremely Elevated Turbidity investigation. This Company is a large industrial laundry No problems noted. Co claims
no unusual activity. No sign of any spills. No sign of any suspicious activities
HTS Inc.
Facility ID
2067201
Sample Location
016417A
10600 Painter Avenue Santa Fe Springs
AWoods
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
1600 hours. This facility operates as a hazardous-waste transport company, which uses tanker trucks to haul waste to treatment and
disposal facilities. Wastewater is generated from washing the exteriors of trucks, trailers, and employee vehicles. According to the
contact, the aforementioned washing operations are conducted by an independent contractor named Bravo’s Mobil Detail. The
contractor brings cleaning equipment to the site and uses the company’s wash pad and permitted sewer connection. Office records
indicated the last such wash service occurred on 04/25/2011. In addition, the contact mentioned that the washing/cleaning contractor
typically washes vehicles once every four weeks. Wastewater in the sample box looked stagnant. There was no indication that any
recent wastewater discharge here could have contributed to the subject treatment plant problems.
KIK SoCal, Inc.
Facility ID
2042264
Sample Location
015431A
9028 Dice Road Santa Fe Springs
TStahl
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
LCWRP 20110510 Extremely Elevated Turbidity investigation. This Company formulates and packages chemicals, mostly cleaners and
bleaches. Ammonia on site. Co claims no unusual activity at this time. Co also claims no discharge during the time of the incident. No
problems noted. No sign of any suspicious activities
Lakeland Development Company
Facility ID
2082093
Sample Location
016674A
12345 Lakeland Road Santa Fe Springs
TStahl
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
Extreme Turbidity at LCWRP investigation. This Co does not flow to LCWRP however a check of the facility found no unusual activity.
Flow chart indicates no flow during the period of the upset.
Facility ID
1324886
Inspector's Name:
Sample Location
BJenkins
003699A
Address:
Status:
90670
Print Date:
2/15/2012
65,708
Page 14 of 20
Incident Report
Company operates 24 hours/day Monday through Friday. They manufacture different vegetable oils. Claim production has been lighter
than normal. Also claimed nothing unusual has been reported to him, but at the outfall we found murky brown wastewater discharge-not normal per contact. Contact claimed the wastewater is normally cream color & cloudy. The source of the murky brown wastewater:
soap stock holding tank decant water. This is a permitted waste flow. It is unknown why the color is brown--it is usually cloudy cream
colored. Today during this inspection, the soap stock holding tank decant water was creamy light tan. The operator claimed the dark
brown water was already contained inside this 7,000 gallon decant holding tank this morning. He started discharging this decant water
to the clarifier and sample box about 45 minutes before I inspected the sample box (so this discharge started around 0700 hours on
05-10-2011). Company keeps no discharge log book, per contact. Company claims there was no discharge from the soap stock
holding tank last night. Last night was soybean oil production. And current production is canola oil. Soap stock occurs in the refining oil
process when sodium hyrdroxide is added to an oil to remove any impurities and gum. This mixture is then centrifuged. The resulting
byproduct is this "soap stock" and the product is oil. The soap stock is processed through an oil and grease separator. Today at the
sample box: field pH=7.0, murky brown, and Q=20 gpm. A sample was taken ( not acidified) for comparsion with the treatment plant
sample.
Facility ID
2097740
Sample Location
017114A
13744 Excelsior Avenue Santa Fe Springs
AHoekstra
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
Facility blends cleaning compounds; potentially high strength chemical waste. Nothing unusual was found and no spills or problems
reported. Dedicated mixing tanks reduce equipment cleanup. Flawed product retained for rework observed in a tank and totes.
Production log checked. Most products have high or low pH or a distinct odor. Wastewater is from cleaning drums and totes and is
batch discharged.
Facility ID
1884205
Sample Location
003195A
9307 Bermudez Street Pico Rivera
JSanchez
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90660
No evidence was found the this IU was the responsible party for this incident or that it contributed to it.
R Van Dyke Transportation, Inc.
Facility ID
9245443
Sample Location
Address:
AHoekstra
Inspector's Name:
13045 LOS NIETOS Road Santa Fe Springs
Status:
90670
Facility hauls chemicals in tanker trucks. There is an unpermitted open connection onsite. The clarifier is still full of stagnant water, and
lacking a pump will not discharge to the sewer. The open sewer drain does not appear to have been used. The site is kept locked at
night. There is no evidence of any recent discharge to the sewer.
Rich Products Corp.
Facility ID
2025195
Sample Location
014946A
9420 Sorensen Avenue Santa Fe Springs
TStahl
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
Co is a food manufacturer making cheesecakes. Contact claims no unusual activity, no spills; nothing new as far as wastewater is
concerned. Check of facility found nothing unusual, wastewater looks normal and sample box shows no sign of extremely high flows.
Facility ID
2025195
Inspector's Name:
Sample Location
TStahl
014946A
Address:
9420 Sorensen Avenue Santa Fe Springs
Status:
90670
Print Date:
2/15/2012
65,708
Page 15 of 20
Incident Report
LCWRP 20110510 Extremely Elevated Turbidity investigation. This Company is manufacturing cheesecakes and desserts. No
problems noted. Co claims no unusual activity. No sign of any spills. No sign of any, suspicious activities
Facility ID
2064154
Sample Location
016122A
12805 Busch Place Santa Fe Springs
TStahl
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
Co is a food company manufacturing ice-cream cakes. No unusual activity noted. Contact claims no spills and no unusual activity.
Check of sample box shows no surcharge, ph chart shows no unusual spikes.
Facility ID
2064154
Sample Location
016122A
12805 Busch Place Santa Fe Springs
TStahl
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
LCWRP 20110510 Extremely Elevated Turbidity investigation. This Company is manufacturing ice-cream cakes and desserts. No
problems noted. Co claims no unusual activity. No sign of any spills. No sign of any, suspicious activities
Facility ID
2063502
Sample Location
016020A
11217 Shoemaker Avenue Santa Fe Springs
mplacencia
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
Facility ID
1451995
Sample Location
004661A
12844 Excelsior Drive Norwalk
TStahl
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90650
LCWRP 20110510 Extremely Elevated Turbidity investigation. This permit is for the area, which has the Rain Water Diversion. No sing
of any unusual activity. No problems noted.
Facility ID
1451995
Sample Location
013322A
TStahl
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90650
LCWRP 20110510 Extremely Elevated Turbidity investigation. This permit is for the area which is located on the East side of the
produce warehouse, it receives ww from floor washing. No sign of any unusual activity. No problems noted
Facility ID
1451995
Sample Location
013323A
TStahl
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90650
LCWRP 20110510 Extremely Elevated Turbidity investigation. This permit is for the area which is located on the West side of the
Warehouse it recieves ww from forklift repair and various floor clean operations. No sign of any unusual activity. No problems noted
Facility ID
1451995
Inspector's Name:
Sample Location
TStahl
013324A
Address:
Status:
90650
Print Date:
2/15/2012
65,708
Page 16 of 20
Incident Report
LCWRP 20110510 Extremely Elevated Turbidity investigation. This permit is for the area which is located on the Truck wash area. No
sign of any unusual activity. No problems noted
Facility ID
1451995
Sample Location
004661A
SSealy
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90650
Insection reveals no issues at company in past 24 hours. No syrup spills in the plant or yard, no sign of inoperative equipment. pH
adjust system is working well and flows have been within permit limits. pH chart recorder shows a steady range from 6.8-7.4 for past 24
hours and field test verifies accuracy.
Facility ID
2037456
Sample Location
015351A
14405 Artesia Boulevard La Mirada
JKerins
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90638
No evididence of spills were found at facility other than some water on the floor in the water pretreatment area which contact said was
due to a pump having been worked on at about 11AM. Contact claimed operations had been normal. There had been no ammonia
leaks.; he said ammonia solution resulting from an ammonia keak would be used for pH adjustment of IWW if ever the ammonia
capture water needed to be used.
Neither the flow-meter nor pH meter were functioning. Kerins issued a verbal warning and told contact that a notice of violation may be
issued for the violation at a later date. Kerins advised contact to keep a manual log of pH and daily water meter readings and to notify
the IW office of the malfunctioning equipment. Contact said that Conservtech represtentative had already been called and is due on
5/11/11/.The IWW in the sample box was light red, slightly loudy, with no detectable odor; pH = 6.94 . Kerins took 500mL of sample
and stored it in sample fridge at LCWRP..
No evidence was found to indicate that this facility discharged IWW which could have caused the LCWRP high turbidity.
Facility ID
9243611
Sample Location
20334A
18021 Valley View Avenue Cerritos
mplacencia
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90703
Inspection prompted by high-turbidity incident at LCWRP. Nothing at facility indicates that they contributed to the incident. No
abnormal discharges. All WW is directed through the well-maintained pretreatment system; this involves addition of flocculent, then
filter press. So the resultant effluent is low in solids. The facility does produce a lot of fine dust, but they sweep it up and dispose of it
as dry waste. Effluent was slightly cloudy, colorless, odorless, with pH and T in compliance.
Facility ID
1437220
Sample Location
JSanchez
Inspector's Name:
002295A
Address:
13002 Los Nietos Road Santa Fe Springs
Status:
90670
No evidence found that this IU was a contributor or the responsible party for this incident.
TROPICAL ASPHALT PRODUCTS
Facility ID
2078606
Inspector's Name:
Sample Location
AHoekstra
Address:
14435 MACAW Street La Mirada
Status:
90638
Print Date:
2/15/2012
65,708
Page 17 of 20
Incident Report
Facility manufactures specialty asphalt roofing products, including latex based products. There is no discharge to the sewer.
Wastewater is re-used in production. Nothing unusual was observed. The company has no permit.
Univar USA
Facility ID
9242419
Sample Location
20229A
KMcIntosh
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
Request from Supervising IWI D. Lee to inspect in response to high turbidity at LCWRP last night and today. Inspector J. Kerins had
already been here this morning. The contact said there had been nothing unusual this week; no evidence of any problems.
Facility ID
9242419
Sample Location
20229A
JKerins
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
The drum wash operation ceased in January; Hahn said there has not been any IWW discharged to the sewer since then. Drums are
been sent to Ted Levine. Permit is still active; contact said he expects drum washing at facility to resume. There were no signs of any
spills anywhere in the plant. The collection pond had some clean water in it, most lkely rainfall from early on 5/10/11.
Hahn conducts a plant inspection each day and logs his findings on a checklist. For 5/10/11, all areas had a check mark except for the
maintenance shop entry which read "needs work". Hahn said he had written this because the shop floor required cleaning.
The flow-meter was not functioning. Kerins issued a verbal warning and told contact that a notice of violation may be issued for the
violation at a later date. The IWW in the sample box was slightly cloudy, light beige with no detectable odor; pH = 7.06. Kerins took
500mL of sample and stored it in sample fridge at LCWRP.
One contact said that there was a nearby company which made chemicals for portable toilets. Kerins canvassed the area, but found no
such place; will research this using the internet.
No evidence was found to indicate that this facility discharged IWW which could have caused the LCWRP high turbidity.
RELATED INSPECTIONS TASK
Facility Name
Status
Comments
Date
Inspector
1974982
05/13/2011
AHoekstra
05/10/2011
KMcIntosh
05/12/2011
AHoekstra
05/12/2011
TStahl
05/10/2011
BJenkins
05/12/2011
AHoekstra
05/10/2011
JKerins
05/10/2011
BJenkins
05/17/2011
TStahl
2064222
9242340
Ameritex
2025520
Atlas Precious Metals Inc.
1218424
2015646
9241884
1448010
2/15/2012
1921552
2099001
BEST BRANDS CORP
Print Date:
Facility ID
65,708
Page 18 of 20
Incident Report
05/13/2011
TStahl
05/10/2011
BJenkins
05/10/2011
mplacencia
05/13/2011
TStahl
05/13/2011
AHoekstra
05/10/2011
AWoods
05/13/2011
AHoekstra
05/10/2011
DLee
05/13/2011
AHoekstra
05/10/2011
mplacencia
05/10/2011
JSanchez
05/10/2011
TStahl
05/10/2011
TStahl
05/10/2011
AWoods
05/11/2011
TStahl
05/12/2011
TStahl
05/10/2011
BJenkins
05/12/2011
AHoekstra
05/13/2011
JSanchez
05/12/2011
AHoekstra
05/10/2011
TStahl
05/10/2011
TStahl
05/10/2011
TStahl
05/10/2011
TStahl
05/10/2011
mplacencia
05/10/2011
SSealy
05/11/2011
TStahl
05/11/2011
TStahl
05/11/2011
TStahl
2067191
1970031
1590801
2089534
CENTERLINE WHEEL CORP
9244306
Chemical Transfer Co., Inc.
9243856
Coast Thermal Processing
2081802
1866382
DAP INC
1914771
Day-Lee Foods, Inc.
9244088
Final Finish, Inc.
1929243
G & K Services, Co.
2067201
HTS Inc.
2042264
KIK SoCal, Inc.
Lakeland Development Company
2097740
1884205
R Van Dyke Transportation, Inc.
9245443
2025195
Rich Products Corp.
2064154
2063502
1451995
2/15/2012
2082093
1324886
Print Date:
65,708
Page 19 of 20
Incident Report
TStahl
05/10/2011
JKerins
05/10/2011
mplacencia
05/13/2011
JSanchez
05/13/2011
AHoekstra
05/10/2011
KMcIntosh
05/10/2011
JKerins
9243611
1437220
TROPICAL ASPHALT PRODUCTS
2078606
9242419
Univar USA
2/15/2012
05/11/2011
2037456
Print Date:
65,708
Page 20 of 20
Incident Report
Incident Name:
LC 20110812 pink color in forebay/river
Incident Location
Incident Type:
Treatment Plant NPDES Vio
Issue ID#
Contact Name:
90703
Reported By:
66633
ARACELI FRANCO
WRP
Incident History
Type
Date
Incident Name
INTRODUCTION
Characteristics:
Description of Material:
Pink color
Incident Description:
At 0810 hours on Friday, 8-12-11, TPO 1 Araceli Franco at the Los Coyotes WRP called John
Boyd and notified him that operators had noted a pink color in the forebay and river during their
initial rounds at approximately 0730 hours. The color was noted in raw influent bucket #5
(2200-0200 hours), but not in bucket numbers 4 (1800-2200) or 6 (0200-0600)* and was not
currently present in the raw influent. Franco stated that there were no other unusual conditions or
odors noted in the WRP and that the influent pH was at normal levels. She further stated that she
had already informed Team 2 Senior IW Inspector Juan Sanchez of the incident and that he had
advised her to notify Boyd as well. Boyd notified Supervising IW Inspector Fred Cannizzarro of
the incident at 0815 hours. Team 2 IW inspectors investigated this incident. JB
*At 0915 hours on 8-12-11, TPO 1 Carlos Kessell called Boyd back and stated that the bucket
sample information conveyed earlier by TPO Franco was incorrect. He said that the no pink color
was visible in any of the raw bucket samples and was in fact visible only in secondary effluent
bucket samples 4-6 (1800-0600 hours). Given that it takes 3-4 hours for raw influent to make it to
the secondary effluent channel, operators now calculate that the color could have begun entering
the plant as early as 1400 hours on 8-11-11. This information was immediately conveyed to
Cannizzaro for forwarding to inspectors investigating the incident. JB
At 1500 hours on Friday, 8-12-11, Boyd received a call from Districts' monitoring Section
Supervising Engineer Ann Heil. Heil reported that it had been determined that the pink color in the
river would be reported as an NPDES violation. JB
PARTIES OF CONCERN
Facility
Permit No.
Permit Flow
Final Finish, Inc. (9244088)
10910 Norwalk Boulevard
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
20472
33000 GPD
S. K. Dyeing & Washing Co. (2063502)
11217 Shoemaker Avenue
016020
75000 GPD
Shaw Diversified Services, Inc. (2055974)
15305 Valley View Avenue
015869
621000 GPD
Tri-Star Dyeing and Finishing (2110553)
15125 Marquardt Avenue
017196
325000 GPD
Print Date:
2/15/2012
66,633
Page 1 of 7
Incident Report
ATTACHMENTS
1
S. K. Dyeing effluent sample 8-12-2011
2
LCWRP Forebay 8-12-2011
3
S. K. Dyeing clarifier pumping by KVAC
4
K-Vac manifest 8-13-2011 for S.K. Dyeing
5
K-Vac Work order for S.K. Dyeing 8-12-2011
6
Sae Chung e-mail 8-19-2011
7
K-Vac manifest 2
TEST KIT ANALYSES
Date/Time
Sample Location
Inspector
Parameter
Test Result
8/12/11 9:45 am
016020A
TStahl
Color, Apparent
Dark Magenta
SCU
8/12/11 9:45 am
016020A
TStahl
Color, Apparent
Dark Magenta
SCU
LABORATORY ANALYSYES
Date/Time
Sample Location
Sample Location Description
8/12/11 9:45 am
016020A
8/12/11 8:15 am
015305A
existing sample box downstream of 3-stage clarifier,
outside the southwest corner of the building.
015305A
Sample No.
Parameter
HPLC Scan
See,Notes.
TStahl
See,Notes.
TStahl
2037914
Facility ID:
11081500433
Inspector
2063502
Facility ID:
11081500432
Test Results
HPLC Scan
VIOLATION / ENFORCEMENT
Company Name
Sample Location
Violation Date
Type of Violation
Enforcement Action
Status
Inspector
016020A
08/12/2011
Discolored WasteWater
Closed
tstahl
016020A
08/12/2011
Waste Causes Pass-Through
Closed
tstahl
016020A
08/12/2011
Failure to Meet Permit
Requirements
Closed
tstahl
016020A
08/12/2011
Discolored WasteWater
Closed
fcannizzaro
016020A
08/12/2011
016020A
08/13/2011
Print Date:
2/15/2012
66,633
Notice of Violation
fcannizzaro
Notice of Violation
Closed
fcannizzaro
Page 2 of 7
Incident Report
NOTES ABOUT INCIDENT INQUIRY
On Monday, 8-15-11 at 0755 hours, IW Consutant Sae Chung called Superising IW Inspector John Boyd. Chung stated
that he was calling on behalf of the owner of S & K Dyeing, Mr. Kim. Chung said he was told that an IW Inspector, Juan
Sanchez, has been out at the S & K Dyeing facility on Friday, 8-12-11. He then asked...is there a problem? Boyd told
Mr. Chung that in fact there was a problem and reviewed the events of 8-12-11 including the main fact that S & K Dyeing
had been determined to be the source of a serious color incident at the Los Coyotes WRP that had resulted in a NPDES
violation. Boyd stated that it was the Districts' intent to issue a notice of violation to the company for causing the incident.
Mr. Chung did not dispute that the discharge from S & K was the cause of the incident. Instead he stated that the
workers who had caused the discharge had simply been instructed to "clean the floor" and should have known not to
discharge such highly colored material into the sewer. He said workers would not discharge any more such material to
the sewer and offered to work jointly with the company and the Sanitation Districts to prevent the incident recurring. JB
As a routine measure, it is anticipated that a sample of LCWRP Final effluent and a sample of red colored wastewater
from S. K. Dying sample box will be analyzed by HPLC (X03) Scan to confirm S. K. Dyeing as the source of the red color.
FC
Mr. Sae Y. Chung, PE consultant from S.Y. Chung & Assoc. submitted three documents related to K-Vac pumping dye
stuff waste from S. K. Dyeing and Washing's trenches, clarifierand sample box. Manifest copies are initial copies and do
not contain the TSDF signature (see attachments). JS
Print Date:
2/15/2012
66,633
Page 3 of 7
Incident Report
CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS- IPACS
Industrial Waste Inspector Traci Stahl discovered that the source of the red color at LCWRP was
S. K. Dyeing and Washing Co.
(IW Permit 16020)
11217 Shoemaker Ave.
The company discharges to the Districts' Shoemaker Ave. Trunk via a local sewer on Shoemaker Avenue. Senior
Inspector Juan Sanchez and Inspector Polina Voylokov joined Ms. Stahl at the site. Upon gaining entrance to the building
the inspectors found company employees using a utility hose to flush quantities of red colored garment dye material to the
interior floor trenches. An empty drum of red dye powder was found in a storage area and floor areas in the facility were
stained red or contained quantities of red colored water. Communicating with the personnel in Spanish, Inspector Sanchez
learned that they were performing demolition and clean-up work at the direction of the company’s management, who was
not at the site at that time. Inspector Sanchez directed the employees to cease their washing activity immediately. He
communicated by phone with the company President Sung H. Kim from the site and notified him that his company was in
violation of its industrial wastewater discharge permit limitations. He explained the seriousness of the situation, the need
for immediate cessation of operations, and the need to have residual wastewater in the interior of the building and exterior
three-stage clarifier pumped and hauled for off-site disposal. Mr. Kim stated that he would have the clean-up performed
next week.
Supervising Inspector David Lee and Senior Inspector Barbara Jenkins visited the facility later in the evening of August 12,
and verified that the situation remained stable with no wastewater flow to the sewer. Mr. Kim informed them that the
clarifier would be pumped on Saturday, August 13, pending waste characterization by KVAC Environmental Services.
Supervising Inspector Fred Cannizzaro followed up at the site on Saturday, August 13. The company contact Mr. Sung Kim
was on site supervising the pumping of the facility’s industrial waste clarifier. The company hauling the waste was:
KVAC Environmental Services
8910 Rochester
Rancho Cucamonga USDOT 850795 CA #N2803
909-426-2308
The company appeared to be doing a fairly thorough cleaning with high-pressure hose and manual scraping of debris at
the bottom of the clarifier to facilitate pump-out. Cannizzaro issued an Notice of Violation for discharge of wastewater that
affected LCWRP treatment operations and plant effluent to the local waterway. Mr. Kim said that employees had
misunderstood his instructions regarding the post-shutdown cleanup of the facility. He admitted that concentrated dye
powder had been inappropriately dumped and flushed by his employees to the sewer. Mr. Kim was advised that a letter
from the Districts would follow the NOV, and that a response from him would be required as to the cause of the violation
and corrective action taken.
JB/FC
INSPECTIONS TASK
Final Finish, Inc.
Facility ID
Print Date:
2/15/2012
9244088
66,633
Sample Location
20472A
Address:
10910 Norwalk Boulevard Santa Fe Springs
90670
Page 4 of 7
Incident Report
JSanchez
Inspector's Name:
Status:
Contact stated that no red or black colors had been dyed on 8/11/2011, only blues. Color in outfall was indeed blue. IU is not
considered a source for this incident.
Facility ID
2063502
Sample Location
016020A
FCannizzaro
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
Saturday, 8/12/2011 - The company contact Mr. Soon Kim was on site supervising the pumping of the facility’s industrial waste clarifier.
Company hauling waste is:
KVAC Environmental Services
8910 Rochester
Rancho Cucamonga USDOT 850795 CA #N2803
909-426-2308
The company appeared to be doing a fairly thorough cleaning with high-pressure hose and manual scraping of debris at the bottom of
the clarifier to facilitate pump-out. I reminded the contact to have the sample box pumped as well. I issued an NOV for discharge of
wastewater that affected LCWRP treatment and plant effluent to the local waterway. Mr. Kim said that employees had misunderstood
his instructions regarding the post-shutdown cleanup of the facility. He admitted that concentrated dye powder had been
inappropriately dumped and flushed to the sewer. Signed copy of the NOV was e-mailed to Mr. Kim at “[email protected]”.
Attachment Name
S. K. Dyeing and Washing NOV signed
Facility ID
2063502
Sample Location
016020A
TStahl
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
LC 20110812 pink color in forebay/river Response to Treatment plant upset, pink pass through color at LCWRP. This company is a dye
house in the process of moving operations. All dyeing and washing equipment has been moved off site. Some drums remain.
Inspection found thick, viscous, magenta colored material flowing through sample box to the sewer at approximately 7-10 GPM. 2
samples were taken and a call to Senor Inspector Juan Sanchez was made to request assistance. Upon arrival Inspector Sanchez
assessed the situation and went to the production area for further investigation. Investigation of facility found that employees had
been dumping concentrated dye into drain inside building washing it down with water from hoses. Sr. Inspector Juan Sanchez spoke to
Mr. Kim (owner of the company) on the phone J. Sanchez informed Mr. Kim of the Violation, Instructed him to Stop all Discharge, and
have the clarifier and sample box pumped out and the wastewater hauled off.
Attachment Name
Picture 003.jpg
Picture 008.jpg
Picture 010.jpg
Picture 030.jpg
Picture 031.jpg
Picture 037.jpg
Picture 047.jpg
Facility ID
2063502
Inspector's Name:
Sample Location
BJenkins
016020A
Address:
Status:
90670
Print Date:
2/15/2012
66,633
Page 5 of 7
Incident Report
1615 hours (w/BJenkins) Inspection as follow up to one earlier today, which found the company discharging heavily, colored
wastewater to the sewer causing color incident at LCWRP. Found driveway gate locked but one worker and owner Dutch Kim onsite.
Mr. Kim indicated that CSD inspectors had been onsite today regarding color issue caused by worker mistakenly dumping unused dye
to trenches ( > clarifier >sewer) yesterday. He confirms that CSD inspectors told him to stop all wastewater discharge (which he says
there hasn’t been) and that water in clarifier needed to be pumped out and hauled. Toured interior of shop as well as back yard area.
All equipment including fabric washers/vats, driers, boilers and soft water system has been removed. Contact states that landlord
wants building ready for warehousing so all trenches will be filled and concreted over. Two poly tanks in rear yard for NaOH and Na
Hypochlorite empty. Multiple drums of dyes and fabric conditioners awaiting hauling as well as 2 pallets of soda ash and salt. Mr. Kim
states that all remaining chemicals will be removed next week. Check of sample box finds stagnant intense purple/red wastewater,
which visually appears to be undiluted dye. Reminded contact again not to discharge any wastewater to the sewer and that any and all
hauling manifests for clarifier contents must be kept for future inspection. After inspection, Mr. Kim returned to say that he had
contacted the hauler who normally services the clarifier, "KVAC" and that they would be onsite later tonight to sample the wastewater
and if they determine it to be non-hazardous, they will perform the pumping and cleaning tomorrow. Will notify day inspection staff for
follow up next week. DL
Facility ID
2063502
Sample Location
016020A
JSanchez
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
IWI T. Stahl called for assistance when she arrived at site due to highly colored water flowing to sewer and no corporate personnel
present, only three laborers performing demolition tasks. Senior IWI J. Sanchez and IWI Polina Voylokov responded.
Senior IWI Juan Sanchez approached the chain link fence at the loading dock in the back of the facility where two laborers could be
seen manipulating barrels, drums and other containers. Mr. Sanchez noted that both men were wearing latex-like gloves, which were
stained red. After identifying himself, Inspector Sanchez asked what they were doing. At that point, the man who turned out to be Mr.
Martin Huerta, stated that they were “cleaning around”. Inspector Sanchez asked to be let into the property, which he was allowed to
do. Upon entering, a third man could be seen using a utility hose to wash some material into the trench system. The material could
clearly be seen as concentrated red dye. Red material in various stages of solution could be seen in various locations around the
facility. An empty drum of red dye powder was found in the storage yard and red was splashed in multiple points The man was asked to
stop immediately in Spanish, as they did not seem to speak English. In Spanish, Inspector Sanchez explained to the three men the
color problem at the treatment plant, the violation of the color discharge limitations at the site and the need to have the clarifier and
associated trenches pumped clean of the dyestuff. Mr. Huerta contacted Mr. Kim over the telephone and the same explanations were
given him. Mr. Kim stated that he would have the clean up performed “next week”. Senior Inspector J. Sanchez stated that sooner
would be preferable.
Shaw Diversified Services, Inc.
Facility ID
2055974
Sample Location
015869A
15305 Valley View Avenue Santa Fe Springs
JKerins
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90670
Kerins looked at the retained hourly IWW samples from 0600 to 0600 hours, 8/11/11 to 8/12/11. There no samples which appeared
red. Most samples were very lightly coloured in the green to olive-green colour range. Kerins performed the 20:1 dilution test on the
darkest of the colours and the IWW pssed the test. The f/m showed that the company had been discharging 800gpm from until about
10pm on 8/11/11. Company does not operate a night shift anymore.
No evidence was found to indicate that this site was the source of the pink colour at LCWRP.
Diluted sample was retained for analysis and stored at LCWRP.
Tri-Star Dyeing and Finishing
Facility ID
2110553
Inspector's Name:
Sample Location
TStahl
017196A
Address:
15125 Marquardt Avenue Santa Fe Springs
Status:
90670
Response to Treatment plant upset, pink pass through color at LCWRP. This company is a dye house . Check of Company's composite
sampler found no pink color and dilution test showed no color violations in any of the samples taken by the company. Flow chart shows
no unusual spikes or high flows. Co claims no unusual activity. Inspection found no sign of any spills or dark pink color at this facility.
Print Date:
2/15/2012
66,633
Page 6 of 7
Incident Report
Facility ID
2037914
Sample Location
015305A
JSanchez
Inspector's Name:
Address:
Status:
90703
Operations notified IW that color was seen in the fore bay. Pink/reddish color was indeed present and quite deep. Samples were
collected for possible match testing of any source found. Color was still present in the outfall at 14:00
RELATED INSPECTIONS TASK
Facility Name
Comments
Date
Inspector
08/12/2011
JSanchez
08/12/2011
TStahl
08/12/2011
BJenkins
08/12/2011
JSanchez
08/13/2011
FCannizzaro
08/12/2011
JKerins
08/12/2011
TStahl
08/12/2011
JSanchez
2063502
Shaw Diversified Services, Inc.
Tri-Star Dyeing and Finishing
2055974
2110553
2037914
2/15/2012
Status
9244088
Final Finish, Inc.
Print Date:
Facility ID
66,633
Page 7 of 7

Incident Report - Sanitation District

Transcription

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