enters into a contract with the state and, for long-term cleanups, where no viable responsible party(s) have been identified the interim remedy is considered “fund lead.” With such interim remedies, the state agrees to resume responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the remediation 10 years after it is deemed “functional operational.” In California, the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) enters into these agreements with the EPA. “For the state, these contracts are generally beneficial because the EPA is responsible for the construction of the remedy and thus the capital investment,” explained Schoellerman. DTSC assumed responsibility for the operation and maintenance of one fund lead interim remedy in the Whittier Narrows Operable Unit in 2013. The transfer of a separate fund lead interim remedy in the South El Monte Operable Unit was scheduled to occur in May 2023, and was recently finalized. There are 34 treatment plants that are successfully removing the contaminants from the Basin, which is the primary source of drinking water for over 1.5 million people. Since WQA’s inception in 1993, its sponsored projects have been responsible for treating over 2 million acre-feet of water in the Basin and removing nearly 217,267 pounds of contaminants. However, the cleanup continues and has adapted and advanced as emerging contaminants, such as PFAS (Per-and Polyfluorinated Substances), have been discovered. The California Legislature has extended the life of the WQA to July 1, 2050. “We have to look at the big picture, which is preventing this plume of various contaminants from spreading, and ultimately safeguarding this drinking water source. We have to clean it to drinking water standards, in the most efficient way possible, so local ratepayers are not overburdened,” Schoellerman said. “We will continue to advocate for all involved parties, including our state and federal partners, to fulfill their obligations to sustain this groundwater supply for future generations.” The WQA keeps its focus on the key mission of making sure your water is safe. Learn more at www.wqa.com
WQA Advocates for Continued Basin Cleanup By Grace Washburn Special Sections Writer T he San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority (WQA) was established to coordinate the cleanup of the groundwater Basin after portions were placed on the federal Superfund list in 1984 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In this effort, the WQA relies on cooperation from state and federal agencies as well as water purveyors and those deemed responsible for the contamination. “Our mission is to facilitate this decades-long cleanup,” said WQA Executive Director Randy Schoellerman. “We see ourselves as one of the leaders in restoring the Main San Gabriel Basin. Our mandate is to remove contaminants to ensure a safe, reliable source.”
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Lynda Noriega Chairwoman
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Valerie Muñoz Secretary
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Congress established the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) in 1980. CERCLA is informally called Superfund. It outlines how the EPA works with states to clean up contaminated sites. It also forces the parties responsible for the contamination to either perform cleanups or reimburse the government for EPA-led cleanup work. In the San Gabriel Basin, where the contamination is believed to be the result of decades of improper chemical handling and disposal practices by various industries, the WQA coordinates efforts to find and procure funds from the responsible parties. To date, 70% of the Basin cleanup has been paid by these responsible parties. Through legislative advocacy, the WQA has also secured millions in state and federal grants. To begin a Superfund cleanup, the EPA
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Randy Schoellerman Executive Director
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