On August 26, 2016, the County provided the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Board (Water Board) with preliminary test results for more than 76 soil-gas samples taken on San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport property, bringing the total soil-gas test results provided to the Water Board to more than 94. All of the samples have tested negative for trichloroethylene (TCE).
The Water Board had previously received three additional preliminary groundwater sample test results on July 26, July 28, and Aug. 23. Additional groundwater sample test results are expected in the coming weeks. None of the soil-gas or groundwater sample test results provided to date have indicated a presence of TCE. The County expects to finish their sampling and testing efforts well before the established Sept. 12 deadline.
“We continue to meet or beat the timelines established by the Water Board. And, we’re not particularly surprised that the test results did not show the presence of TCE; it reflects our general belief that the airport is not the source of TCE contamination along Buckley Road. Ultimately, the health and safety of the public is our top priority when dealing with groundwater contamination. Consequently, we are continuing to run tests determine if the airport is the potential source of contamination.” – Assistant County Administrative Officer Guy Savage
Roux Associates, an independent environmental consulting and management firm, was hired to conduct the passive soil-gas sampling on the airport property and to collect groundwater samples on airport property along Buckley Road, between the airport and the impacted groundwater wells generally near and west of the intersection of Thread Lane and Buckley Road. Soil-gas samples were collected around the airport’s two runways, existing and historic facilities, along Buckley Road along a stormwater drainage feature, and in other areas as directed by the Water Board. In addition, the County added additional sampling locations based on County research. The samples were carefully packaged and mailed to a certified, third-party laboratory under standard chain-of-custody procedures. The final soil-gas report will be submitted to the Water Board and available to the public by Sept. 20. The final groundwater report will be submitted and available to the public by Oct. 10.
TCE has been detected in groundwater near Buckley Road, but the contamination source is currently unknown. Although the Water Board is the regional regulatory agency responsible for protecting the quality of the waters of the region, the County has been working closely with the Water Board to identify potential sources for the contamination. Additionally, the County has provided a variety of resources to residents who want to test their private well water systems. The County has spent months investigating and inspecting airport and airport tenant operations, records and documents.