historical summary of former manufactured gas plants in the city

HISTORICAL SUMMARY OF

FORMER MANUFACTURED GAS PLANTS

IN THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE

PG*E October, 1986

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IV.

VI .

VII.

VIII.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

HISTORICAL SUMMARY

SITE CHARACTERISTICS

- Site Uses - plan view - photographs

- Adjacent Land .Uses

- Drainage

- Geology

- Exposed Surface Soil

- Surface Water

- Groundwater

TESTING METHODS

- Surface Soil

- Potable Water Wells

ANALYTICAL RES-

- Surface Soil Testing

- Potable Water Well Testing

SITE ASSESSMENT

Paae

1-1

11-1

111-1

IV-1

v- 1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The purpose of this report is to evaluate the environmental conditions of PGandE-owned portions of the former gas manufacturing plant site located on Main Street near Fifth Street in Watsonville, California (Site MT-CO-WAT-1).

The gas plant was built by the Watsonville Maxim Gas Company in 1871. After the availability of natural gas in Watsonville, the plant was shut down in 1931. In 1954, PGandE acquired a portion of this site, which is now used as a customer service office. Adjacent land uses are primarily commercial; no new land uses are proposed at this time.

Surface runoff from the site is to the southwest toward Main Street. The Pajaro River and Salsipuedes Creek are near the site, which is located in the Pajaro Valley Groundwater Basin. There are no wells within 500 feet of the site.

The site is completely paved and there is no exposed soil. One background soil sample was collected from a planter bed. For this sample, the concentrations, in parts per million by weight, are:

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PNAs) : 5.5

Lead : 360 Arsenic: 28 Mercury: 1.0 Cyanide: <1.0

This site does not appear to warrant interim management measur.es or immediate in-depth characteri.zation.

INTRODUCTION

Prior to the availability of natural gas, gas used for lighting, cooking and heating was manufactured from coal and oil. Pacific Gas and Electric (PGandE) recently discovered residues from former gas manufacturing plants at PGandE facilities in San Rafael and Daly City. Concurrently, the Environmental Protection Agency issued results of a study identifying 54 former manufactured gas plant sites in PGandE1s service area. Since some of the constituents in gas plant residues are classified as potentially hazardous, and considering that residues may remain at other gas plant sites, PGandE embarked on a program to: (1) identify all former gas manufacturing sites within its service area; (2) notify current owners of sites no longer owned by PGandE about the existence of the gas manufacturing plants; (3) conduct potable water well and surface soil tests at PGandE-owned sites to identify any immediate exp0sur.e risks to human health or the environment from residues present at the sites; (4) conduct, at the request of third-party site owners, tests of exposed surface soil for the presence of gas plant residues; and (5) notify and coordinate activities with federal and state regulatory agencies, local agencies and public officials.

In January 1985, PGandE began historical research and title searches to identify former gas plant sites in its ser.vice area. As of November 1986, approximately 100 sites have been identified, 33 of which are presently owned, in whole or in part, by PGandE. Current third-party owners of all sites have been notified by PGandE as to the existence of the former gas plant on their property and informed that gas manufacturing residues may remain at the site.

Using the results of initial site inventories, historical background searches, and potable water well and surface soil tests, this preliminary site assessment has been prepared for 32 PGandE-owned sites. (In 1985, a detailed study of the 33rd PGandE-owned site, San Rafael, was concluded and remedial actions for that site were initiated.) The purpose of these preliminary assessments is to: (1) evaluate the environmental conditions of each site to determine whether immediate exposure ri.sks exist to human health or the environment; and (2) identify any appropriate management measures to mitigate potential exposure at PGandE-owned sites.

A history of the former gas manufacturing plant, descriptions of current site uses and physical site characteristics, site maps and photographs are provided in this assessment.

Exposed surface soil, if present, was sampled at each site and tested for arsenic, lead, mercury, cyanide, and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PNAs). Potable water. wells within a 500-foot radius of each site were sampled for priority pollutant metals and PNAs. The analytical results have been used to draw preliminary conclusions about each site and to assign priorities for. more detailed site analysis.

The following historical summary information has been prepared for all manufactured gas plants in the community of Watsonville. The PGandE-owned site which is the subject of this pr.eliminary assessment is noted in the data summary page and has been highlighted on the location map.

The title and ownership information contained herein is based on investigations conducted by PGandE of public records, and may not necessarily reflect recent conveyances. PGandE makes no warranty or representation concerning the accuracy or. completeness of such information.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Pacific Gas and Electric Company has compiled this historical overview of gas manufacturing in Watsonville from 1871 to 1962 (Site Nos. MT-CO-WAT-1 and MT-CO-WAT-2). It includes information about the operation of these plants as well as chains of title. The report is based on materials obtained from the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., and historical research conducted a t the Bancroft and Map Libraries a t the University of California, Berkeley.

Copyright 1986 PGandE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

General Introduction

Table of Contents

Location Map

Data Summary

Chronology

Historical Overview

Summary of Chain of Title (WAT-1)

Parcel Drawing

Assessor's Parcel Map

Plates

Summary of Chain of Title (WAT-2)

Parcel Drawing

Assessor's Parcel Map

Plates

PAGE

i

ii

1

2

6

9

1 5

1 6

17

18

22

23

24

25

Base map used with permission of California State Automobile Assciation, copyright owner

1

DATA SUMMARY FOR SITE M'MO-WAT-2

Parcel . .. As,e&vx's Pareel NulnDer Current Owners Current Land U s e Future Land Use

A, U 17-251-007 Pacific Gas and Eleclrle Company 71 Ueule Slreel San Francisco, Culifornla

C (Pornon) 17-251-010 Mr. and Mrs. Edwnrd C. Sumpl 422 1,oeusl Slreel Sunta Cru', Californlh

Appraxmare acreage of all ~ a r c e l s - 1.2

Nole: See also Summsry of Cham of 'Title

A,, S., end I.. Ledls~na P.O. Mox 1055 Sun Juan Baul~sla, Culifornla

Watsonville Servlce No deveropmenl proposed Cenler

~ ~ d u s l r l a l No development proposed

lndustrlal No development proposed

Watsonville Gas Plants (MT-CO-WAT-1 and 2) - Chronology

The Watsonville Maxim Gas Company is incorporated in October of 1871. The gas plant (MT-GO-WAT-1, hereafter WAT-1) is constructed near the intersection of Fifth and Main Streets. At this time, gas is produced from gasoline. (Note: Property for this plant is not acquired until 1879.)

In the spring of 1879, the Maxim plant is shut down and replaced by a coal-gas works built a t the same location. The works are completed in early May. Parcel B (WAT-1) is acquired by the Watsonville Maxim Gas Company (see Parcel Drawings for location).

Parcel A (WAT-1) is acquired by the Watsonville Maxim Gas Company.

Parcel C (WAT-1) is acquired by the Watsonville Maxim Gas Company.

The Watsonville Gas Company acquires the plant (WAT-1) from the Watsonville Maxim Gas Company. (This transfer is not immediately apparent in the chain of title. Rather, titles to parcels A, B and C were transferred to P.L. Benjamin in 1901 and then to the Watsonville Gas Company in 1902.)

The Watsonville Gas Company installs an oil-gas plant a t the same location (WAT-1).

The Watsonville Power and Light Company is incorporated. The new company acquires parcels A, B and C (WAT-1) after they pass through the hands of H.A.V. Torchiana e t al. and J. Martin.

The Watsonville Light and Power Company acquires parcel A a t site (MT-CO-WAT-2, hereafter WAT-2), location of the new gas plant.

The Main Street plant (WAT-1) is shut down and ownership of the site is transferred to J. Martin and L. Lowe. A new oil-gas plant is opened a t the Walker and Front Street site (WAT-2).

Coast Counties Light and Power Company acquires both the new gas plant (parcel A, WAT-2) from the Watsonville Light and Power Company and the original plant (parcels A, B and C, WAT-1) from Martin and Lowe. By this time, the original plant (WAT-1) gas house is being rented to the Watsonville School District as a classroom.

The new gas plant (WAT-2) gradually expands its production.

Coast Counties Light and Power Company merges into Coast Counties Gas and Electric Company. Titles to all properties are transferred.

1920- 1930 Rapid expansion of gas production occurs a t the plant.

1920 Coast Counties Gas and Electric Company acquires parcels B and C a t the new site (WAT-2).

1922 Coast Counties Gas and Electric Company disposes of parcel C (WAT-2) a t the new site.

1931 Natural gas arrives in Watsonville and the plant is shut down.

1935 Portions of parcels A, Band C (Al, B1 and C1) a t site WAT-1 are sold by Coast Counties Gas and Electric Company.

1954 Pacific Gas and Electric Company acquires all properties of Coast Counties Gas and Electric Company. This includes the remainder of parcels A, B and C a t site WAT-1 and parcels A and B a t site WAT-2. PGandE currently retains ownership of these parcels.

Cwyraght 1986 PGandE

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF GAS MANUFACTURING IN WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA, 1871-1962

Si teNo, WI-T-C-r-1

and

Site No. MT-CO-WAT-2

Copyright 1986 PGandE

A HISTORIC OVERVIEW OF GAS MANUFACTURING I N WATSONVILLE, 1871-1962

Introduction

Watsonville, California had two gas manufacturing plants operating between 1871 and 1962. The first plant was built in 1871 and was located on Main Street about 100 feet northwest of the intersection of Fifth and Main (Site No. MT-CO-WAT-1). The plant was initially a gasoline gas works until 1879 when i t was replaced by a coal-gas facility built on the same site. Both of these plants were owned by the Maxim Gas Company, which sold out to the Watsonville Gas Company in 1892. By 1902 an oil-gas plant had been built on the original site but was closed sometime between 1904 and 1906 to make way for a new gas works a t another location. Watsonvillels second gas plant, an oil-gas works, was built around 1906. It was located in the southern part of Watsonville, on the northern corner of Walker and Front Streets (Site No. MT- CO-WAT-2). This gas works remained in operation until 1931, when the arrival of natural gas caused the plant to be shut down.

Watsonvillels First Gas Works, 1871-1906 (Site No. MT-CO-WAT-1)

Gas came to Watsonville in the Fall of 1871, when the Watsonville Maxim Gas Company was incorporated and began to supply the town with gasoline produced gas (Watsonville Pajaronian, October 26, 1871:3). The company was incorporated in October of 1871 and late that month "8 or 10 Chinamen began operations on a trench" for the gas mains (Watsonville Pajaronian, ~ovemrber 2, 1871:3). The plant was on Main Street, about 100 feet northwest of the intersection of Fifth and Main. Gas pipes were laid in Main Street, where many business places in the town were located (Watsonville Pajaronian, November 2, 1871:3; December 7, 1871:3). Maxim plants, including the Watsonville one, retorted gasoline by heat in a small machine. "l'hese maEhines often had problems with fire and the Watsonville plant was no exception. Soon after installation an accident occurred which resulted in serious burns to one young man and more minor burns to several others. The incident was reported as follows in the local press (!nlatsonville Pajaronian, December 14, 1871:3):

Accident a t the Gas Works.

On Monday night last about 8 o'clock, an accident occurred a t the gas works by which one young man, Charlie Blair, was terribly burned. As near as we can get a t the facts, the man who had charge of the works was temporarily absent, and about 8 o'clock Monday evening the main pipe in the gas house sprung a leak, and the gas which escaped caught fire. Young Blair, R.P. Williams and another man were inside trying to smother the flames with rags and stop the leak. They succeeded a t length and the house was left in darkness. We believe that Mr. Blair then arranged the machinery for engendering gas, and a candle was

carried into the house by some outside party - and as there was still a leak, and the house was full of gas - the consequence was an explosion took place, or rather the gas ignited and blazed up with a sudden flash. All but Blair got out of the door, which then closed by the force of the explosion, shutting Blair inside. His agonized scream for help was heard and the door forced upon, when he was found terribly burned about the head and hands. He was taken into the Mansion House, a physician called who did all in his power to alleviate his sufferings. His hair was burned snug to his head, and the skin from his right hand peeled entirely off taking the finger nails a t the same time. At this writing the young man is a litt le more comfortable, and his physician thinks he has a chance for recovery. It is thought he did not inhale the flames. Carrying the candle into the gas house a t the time was unfortunate, and we learn that Blair told persons to keep away with lights. Had the candle not have been carried in, no unfortunate results would have followed. R.P. Williams was also badly though not seriously burned, and several others outside when the rush of fire took place had their hair and eye-brows singed. The works have been put in running order.

Although the Maxim plant survived the December 1871 accident and was again put in operation, i t stayed in existence only until the Spring of 1879 when i t was replaced by a coal-gas works built a t the same location (Site No. MT-CO- WAT-1) (Elliot 1879:73). This new works was completed in early May 1979, and the 16cal paper remarked that its gas was "far superior to the old article" (Watsonville ~aj&onian, May 15, 1879:j). This was a& a small plant. It had only one gas main running up Main Street and suoolied gas for commercial lighting o h y (Swanton 1930:i). A Sanborn Map dated M i y 1892 shows the layout of this coal-gas works, still operated by the Maxim Gas Company. A small gas holder was located in the southwestern part of the property, with the main retort building lying to the northeast of this holder. This structure held several retorts, a purifier, and a scrubber. A coal shed lay immediately to the northeast of the retort building (Sanborn Map Company 1892).

In 1902 the Watsonville Gas Company took over the Watsonville Maxim Gas Company with John G. Whitson as President (Brown 1902:13; see chain of title). The new company immediately installed an oil-gas plant as well a s another, much larger, gas holder. This new gas plant was built a t the same Main Street location as the old one (Site No. MT-CO-wAT-1). The Sanborn Map for December 1902 shows the layout of this new o i l ~ a s facility. The new and larger gas holder stood a t the northern corner of the property. Southeast of this holder stood the oil-gas generating and purifying building. Crude oil tanks were on the ground to the southwest of this structure. The old coal-gas plant's retort building stood to the northwest of these tanks. This building was slated for removal according to the map. To the southwest of the old retort building stood the old gas holder (Sanborn Map Company 1902). In 1903, 1904 and 1905 the new plant was generating an annual output of 5,000,000 cubic feet of gas, had nine miles of mains, and served 500 meters (Brown 1903:14; 1904:15; 1905:15).

In 1905 the Watsonville Light and Power Company acquired the Watsonville Gas Company. The leaders of the new company decided to shut down the old Main Street plant (Site No. MT-CO-WAT-1) and build a new gas works a t another location. The last year of operation for the old plant was 1905. By 1906, the Watsonville School District was renting the "old gas house" on Main Street for a classroom (Watsonville Chamber of Commerce 1952:62). The July 1908 Sanborn Map shows that the gas holder and main building a t the Main Street location were still extant, but the building was "vacantt1 (Sanborn Map Company 1908).

Watsonvillek Second Gas Works, 1.905-1962 (Site No. MT-CO-WAT-2)

The new gas works was in operation in 1905. This plant was located in the southern part of Watsonville near the Pajaro River, on the northern corner of Walker and Front Streets. It was an oil-gas plant, using the Lowe crude oil process. The July 1908 map shows the layout of this facility. The map shows the gasometer (gas holder) at the northern corner of the property with the main generation and purification apparatus (including gas generation equipment, a blower, engine, and boiler) located to the west of the gasometer. South and southeast of the main generation building were two oil tanks, a pump and an elevated water tank (Sanborn Map Company 1908).

By 1912 the Watsonville gas works was owned by Coast Counties Gas and Electric Company. At that time its equipment consisted of "a 5000 and a 2500 cu. ft. Lowe gas generator. Two purifiers 10 x 10 x 5 feet, two holders, one 30,000 cu. ft. capacity and the other 10,000 cu. ft. capacity, complete the main equipment. A 10 x 12 inch steam driven compressor and two boilers of Babcock and Wilcox design, the one 40 horsepower and the other 20 horsepower capacity, complete the steam generating equipment of the plant" (Journal of Electricity, Power and Gas, August 17, 1912:133).

Statistics for the second Watsonville gas plant site are reviewed in Table 1 below. These statistics show that the Watsonville gas plant slowly increased its customer and sales base until the mid-1920s, when a large expansion occurred.

The Sanborn Map for December 1920 shows the Watsonville facility as i t appeared befbre the major expansion of the mid- and late-1920s. Its appearance is almost identical to that of 1908. The only expansions were in the main generator building, where an additional boiler had been installed, and next to the large oil tank, where a small building had been constructed (Sanborn Map Company 1920). In the mid 1920s the gas holder capacity expanded from 46,000 cubic feet (1925) to 109,000 (1928) (Brown 1920:447; 1922:477; 1925:478; 1928:474).

The gas works a t Front and Walker Streets continued in operation until 1931, when natural gas arrived in the city and the plant was shut down (Brown 1931:xxx, 12). It is still unclear exactly when this plant was removed, but a t least by 1962 it had been replaced by a Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Cwyr~ght 1986 PGandE

natural gas receiving station which included a meter house (Sanborn Map 1920, - revised i962).

Table 1 Watsonville Gas Plant Statistics

(Site No. MT-CO-WAT-2), 1905-1930 ( ~ r o w n 3 0 ;

Year

1905

1906

1910

1915

1920

1925

1930

Customers

550

600

about 600

927

993

1,345

2,312

Maximum Daily Sendout

(cubic feet)

* NA

* NA

* NA

Annual Production (cubic feet)

3.0 million

11.0 million

14,4 million (1907 production)

18.95 million

26.0 million

53.2 million

97.2 million

Miles of Mains

15

19.3 (low pressure)

2 (high pressure)

27.471 (low oressure)

5.451 (high pressure)

*NA-information not available.

Conclusion

Gas arrived in Watsonville in the Fall of 1871 when a Maxim gas machine was installed, supplying a small part of the town with gas. This plant (Site No. MT- CO-WAT-1) lasted until the Spring of 1879 when a coal-gas plant was built a t the same location. In 1902 an oil-gas plant was installed a t the same location and the old coal-gas facility was removed. The oil-gas works a t Site No. MT- CO-WAT-1 lasted only until 1904-1906 before being shut down, then was finally dismantled by 1908. Between 1904 and 1906 a new o i l ~ a s works was built a t a different location (Site No. MT-CO-WAT-2). This plant was expanded during the 1920s, then shut down in 1931 due to the introduction of natural gas. It was dismantled by 1962.

BlBLIOGRAPHY

Brown. E.C. Brown's Directory of American Gas Companies. New York.

Brown's Directory of American Gas Companies. New York.












Elliott, Wallace W. 1879 Santa Cruz County, California. W.W. Elliott, San Francisco.

Journal of Electricity, Power and Gas 1912 (August17)

Sanborn Map Company 1892 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of Watsonville, California. On file,

Map Library, University of California, Berkeley.

1902 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of Watsonville, California. On file, Map Library, University of California, Berkeley.



1920 Revised 1962. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of Watsonville, California. On f i e , Map Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Swanton, F.W. 1930 Resume of the Early History of the Santa Cruz Electric Light

Companies. On file, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Francisco.

Watsonville Chamber of Commerce 1952 Watsonville, the First Hundred Years. Watsonville Chamber of

Commerce, Watsonville.

Watsonville Pajaronian 1871 (October 26; November 2; December 7; December 14)

1879 (May 15)

Parcel AtAl 1882 1901 1902 1904 1904 1904 1905'. 1906 1912 1954

I--

Parcel A1 4 G,,", -. BendeU I

Parcel B, B1 1905** 1906 1912 1954

Watronvilk J M I V ~ U I GU Company Llght urd Power + and + IlghtendPower - Ga. and Electric

company and Rurtees company I Love ~ompany

'Current Isndownet

**Quitclaim Deed

***Date of t i t le transfer has not been deter mined

1 1935 { i i ~ r ~ l Parcel B1 - 8endcll GH Coe*

Farcel GC1 1883 1901 1902 1904 1904 1905** 1906 1912 1954

Watsonsville Gas Plant (MT-CO-WAT-1) - Summary of Chain of Title (See also Parcel Drawing)

J I Porter

nd.***

Parcel C1

+ +

- Cqlit Countler

Gasand Eketrle --) PGandE* Company

M u m G.s

Company

WlrronriUe DuCompany --t +

H A V I o r ~ h l l ~ ~ ~ e l el.

M d PtSteCS

W a t ~ ) ~ ~ v l l k CMJt Countles J Martln Llght and Power Li@t and Power

~ o m p n y P I B M M ~ ~ -+

(Keyed to Summary of' Chain of Title)

60 8 ! P' 00

R S MAP

orrsville Gas Plant (MT-CO-WAT-1) - Assesor's Parcel M a p

18 Reprinted by permission of the Sanborn Map Company, 1986

Watsonville Gas Plant (MTCD-wAT-1) - Sanborn Map, May 1892 19

Reprinted by pelmissm of the Sanborn Map Company, 1986

Watsonville Gas Plant (MT-CO-WAT-1) - Sanborn Map, 1902


Watsonville Gas Plant (MT-CO-wAT-1) - Senborn M a p , July 1908 21 Reprinted by permission of the Sanborn Map Company, 1986

Peoples Savings Bank

Previous Owners PGandE I I 1

Pareel A , 1905 - 1906 1812 1954

H Coast Counties Gas and Electric

Company

-Current landowner

.-Date of tramfer of title has not been determined

L.M. Grove

Watsonville Gas Plant (MT-CO-WAT-2) -Summary of Chain of Title (See also Parcel Drawing)

22

+ --t

1950 *

AS.. mbalo and LM.. Gmve

e t al.. Quit TiUe

1950

1920 1954

CQM~ Counties Light and

Power Company

WatSOnviILe L i i t and

Power Company

h-

Pared B

--f.

Peoples Saving

Bank

Ccsst Counties Gas and Electric

Company

-

--jc

bast Counties Gas and Electric

Company

-

PGendES

- PGandE'

Front Street

(Keyed to Summary of Chain of Title)

WatscHlsville Gas Plant (MT-CO-WAT-2) - Parcel Draw*

23

-.._L_i_ I .- .-, . . . .. L . . . = , - 1 . ,. i . ..-. i.;. , . .. , ,,, ,, , , ,. I?


Scale o f Feet 0 ' 50 I00 / I - /"

Watsonville Gas Plant (MT-CC-WAT-2) - Sanbom Map, July 1908


Watsonville Gas Plant (MTCO-WAT-.2) - Sanborn Map, December 1920

Watsonville Gas Plant (MTCO-WAT-2) - Sanbom Map, December 1920; Revised 1962

28 Reprinted by pemiuian of the Sanborn Map Company, 1986

SITE CHARACTERISTICS

Site Uses

The PGandE-owned portion of this Watsonville site (MT-CO-WAT-1) is a PGandE customer service office. (See plan view and site photographs on the following pages).

PGandE has not proposed any future development for, this site.

Adjacent Land Use

The site is bordered by a bank to the southwest, a mortuary to the northwest, an old warehouse and paved lot to the east and a gas station to the south. The area is zoned central downtown redevelopment in the immediate vicinity, high density resi- dential to the northeast and west and commercial office and public buildings to the east. Commercial zoning is to the south.

Other than the old warehouse being converted to office space, no other development of adjacent land is planned.

Drainaae

Surface runoff from the site is to the southwest, toward Main Street.

The site is located on a series of westward-dipping alluvial sediments and marine terrace deposits. The major water-bearing formation in the area is the Aromas Sands, which is as much as 800 feet thick. The Aromas Sands consist of aeolian and water.- deposited beds of unconsolidated, well-sorted, quartzose sand, containing lenses of clay and silt.

Ex~osed Surface Soil,

This site is completely paved; there is no exposed soil.

One background soil sample was collected from a planter bed (see plan view for sample location).

Surf ace Water

The Pajaro River and Salsipuedes Creek are located near the site. The Pajaro River is located about 0.7 miles southeast of the site. Salsipuedes Creek is located 0.8 miles east of the site.

P L A N VIEW

TI- . .- , 9 t ' 4 PARKING

FINANCIAL PLAZA

\ Exposed Sol1 Area

\ Sample Locations

Photograph of the present Watsonville Customer Service Center

The Pajaro River is used for municipal and domestic supply, agricultural supply, industrial service supply, gr.oundwater recharge, contact and non-contact recreation, wildlife habitat, cold freshwater habitat, and fish spawning and migration (SWRCB, 1975a) .l

The Pajaro River and Salsipuedes Creek are part of the Pajaro River Water Quality Region, a sub-basin of the Centr.al Coastal Basin. "Quality of surface flows in the Pajaro River steadily deteriorates from the headwaters in San Felipe Lake thr.oughout its length to the ocean...Most of the water quality degradation in the Pajaro River results from mineralization by irrigation return flows (SWRCB, 19,7533) . 111 Groundwater

The site is located within the Pajaro Valley Groundwater. Basin. The basin occupies approximately 120 square miles and is drained by the Pajaro River. Recharge occurs along the Pajaro River, which is about 0.7 miles from the site.

Within the Pajaro Valley Groundwater Basin, seawater intrusion has been increasing because of heavy irrigation use of groundwater. Water quality in the area is generally poor due to high concentrations of total dissolved solids.

Within one mile of the site there are four municiaal. two domestic, five irrigation, two industrial and eight kidentif ied wells. There are no wells within 0.1 miles of the site. The closest municipal well is approximately 0.25 miles from the site.

Video

This Watsonville site can be viewed on the Manufactured Gas Plant video. Refer to the next page to find where this site is located on the video.

1 References

State Water Resources Control Board (California) (SWRCB), 1975a, Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. Water Quality Control Plan: Central Coastal Basin. Part I. Sacramento, CA. Apz'il 1975.

State Water Resources Control Board (California) (SWRCB) , 197513, Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. Water Quality Contr.01 Plan: Central Coastal Basin. Part 11. Sacramento, CA. April 1975.

FORMER MANUFACTURED GAS PLANT SITE VIDEO

SITE SEQUENCE

- Site

Oakland Potrero Warehouse, adjacent to Potr.ero

Potrero Station T Daly City North Beach Fresno-1 Fresno-2 Stockton Oakdale Merced Tracy Selma Madera Modesto Sacramento Redding Colusa Willows Chico Marysville Eureka Petaluma St. Helena Santa Rosa San Luis Obispo San Jose Monterey Salinas Watsonville-2 Watsonville-1 Hollister

Site Desisnation

EB-CN-OAK-1 GG-SF-APT

GG-SF-POT GG-SF-STT GG-SM-DAC GG-SF-NOB SQ-FR-FRS-1 SQ-FR-FRS-2 SQ-SK-STK SQ-ST-OKD SQ-YO-MER SQ-SK-TRA SQ-FR-SEL SQ-YO-MAD SQ-ST-MOD-2 SV-SA-SAC-1 SV-SH-RED SV-CG-COL SV-DS-WIL SV-DS-CHI-1 SV-CG-MRY-1 RR-HM-EKA-1 RR-SR-PET-1 RR-VN-STH RR-SR-SRO-1 MT-LP-SLO-1 MT-SF-SJO-1 MT-CV-MNT-1 MT-CV-SAL MT-CO-WAT-2 MT-CO-WAT-1 MT-CV-HOL

TESTING METHODS

Surface Soil

PGandE8s Department of Engineering Research performed an investigation of surface soils at 32 PGandE-owned former gas manufacturing plant sites.

The objective of this investigation was to determine whether residues from gas manufacturing exist on or within surface soils at former gas manufacturing plant sites. Evaluation of the data in this study should consider the following points:

o The samples were collected on a systematic and judgmental basis ; therefore, the data may not be representative of all exposed surface soil.

o Samples were collected strictly from the surface soil; theref ore, the reported values may not represent any contamination present six inches or more below the surface soil.

o Some of the soils sampled were not homogeneous. Thus, concentrations may differ by an order of magnitude or more.

Surface soils zero to six inches deep were collected from former gas manufacturing plant sites presently owned by PGandE. Each PGandE site was visually inspected for. exposed soil and each exposed soil area was inspected for visible surface contamination (e.g., lampblack). Areas with visible potential examination were sampled. Where large amounts of exposed soil exists, the exposed soil areas were partitioned into subsites using a grid system. Each grid section was sampled to evaluate the distribution of potential contamination over the total exposed area. Each grid system varied, depending on the exposed soil area and physical conditions of each site.

The surface soils were collected using polished steel hand trowels. The exposed surface was scraped to remove vegetation, stones, and other. non-soil material to provide a consistent surface for sampling. The soil samples were immediately transferred to clean glass jars and capped with Teflon-lined lids. The trowel was carefully cleaned with xylene between each sampling to avoid cross-examination of the samples.

The chemical and physical integrity of the samples were preserved in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency

meth0ds.l Glass sample containers were chosen so that the sample would not be chemically altered. Sample labels were applied to the containers prior to sampling. Field and sampling information was recorded in a log book prior to leaving each site. The samples were transported to PGandE1s laboratory in San Ramon, California. A chain-of-custody for was prepar.ed for each sample prior to shipment of the contract laboratory for analysis.

Potable Water Wells

Since there were no potable wells within 500 feet of the site, no tests were performed.

1 Reference

United States Environmental Protection Agency. Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods, SW846. 2nd Edition. 1.982.

ANALYTICAL RESULTS

Results of Surface Soil Testinq

The results of surface soil testing are summarized in Table 1. Individual test results follow Table 1.

Results of Potable Water Well Testinq

No potable water wells were located within 500 feet of this facility. No potable water well samples were taken.

TABLE 1

RESULTS OF SURFACE SOIL TESTING

Concentration in Parts Per Million Total

Sam~le PNAs Lead Arsenic Mercury Cvanide

8606175-06 5.5 360 28 1.0 <1.0

m: i : "Less than"; indicates that constituent was not detected at the detection limit given.

SITE: WATSONVILLE MT-CO-WAT-1

PACIFIC GAS i ELECTRIC - GAS CONTRACT m A L S ANALYSIS

SAMPLES RECEIVED: 6-30-1986 SAMPLES ANALYZED: 7-19 7-31-1986 -- nATRIX - SOIL UNITS OF CONCENTRATION - Mg/Kg (ppm)

M.E.S. Sample PARAMETER Lab # I .D. Arsenic Lead Mercury ............................................................

.......................... Laboratory Supervisor

CERTIFICATION OF REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OR SAMPLE INTEGRITY IS NOT WADE BY McKESSON ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES ?OR 8ALIPLES NOT TAKEN BY MS.

. - - -....-"-,.as ..mu- rr 1252 Quarry Lane, P 0 BOX 9019 Wasanton CA 94566 Tel415 426 ZMYI BW 423 WB' hm~de CA BW 227 15

PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC - GAS CONTRACT CYANIDE ANALYSIS

SAMPLES RECEIVED: 6-30-1986 SAMPLES ANALYZED: 7-19 thru 7-31-1986 -- MATRIX - SOIL UNITS OF CONCENTRATION - Mg/Kg (ppm) M.E.S. Sample Lab # 1,D. CYANIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DETECTION LIMITS ( M ~ I K ~ ) 1.0 SPIKE RECOVERIES ( % ) 8 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D = Duplicate analysis.

CERTIFICATION OF REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OR SAMPLE INTEGRITY IS NOT MADE BY MCKESSON ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES FOR SAMPLES NOT TAKEN BY MES. 8

~ E . r k . r a b l l ~ L . 1252 Ouarry Lane P O ""r 9019 Plearanton CA gC1566 Tef 415 426 2MXI BM 423 W hrWde Calltornra BW 316

PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC - GAS CONTRACT EPA METHOD 8310

POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS

SAMPLE I.D. MT-408-8-1 MES # 8606175-06 SAMPLES RECEIVED: 06-20-1986 SAMPLES ANALYZED: 08-01 thru 8-08-1986 -- MATRIX - SOIL EXTRACTION - 50 GRAMS OF SOIL TO 1 ML EXTRACT'

CONCENTRATION COMPOUND Milligrams/Kg (ppm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ND = Not Detected Detection Limit Factor = 1000

TOTAL PAH = 5.5 --

................................ MICHAEL LARSON, GC/LC SUPERVISOR

CERTIFICATION OF REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OR SAMPLE INTEGRITY IS NOT MADE BY McKESSON ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES FOR SAMPLES NOT TAKEN BY MES.

SITE ASSESSMENT

As discussed previously, this preliminary site assessment is designed to indicate whether or not interim site management measures are needed to eliminate potential surface or potable water exposure risks, as well as to assist in selecting sites for further characterization.

In evaluating exposure risks, consideration was given first to whether or not gas manufacturing residues were present in site surface soils or in water from nearby potable water wells. Next, the accessibility of site surface soils, to both PGandE employees and the general public, was evaluated. Finally, any planned future uses of the site or adjacent parcels, particularly those involving soil disturbance, were examined to determine the potential impact on such uses from gas plant residues.

No surface soil or potable water exposure risks are posed by gas manufacturing residues, if any, at the Watsonville (MT-CO-WAT-1) site, as the site is completely covered and there are no potable water wells in the vicinity.

This site does not appear to warrant interim management measures or immediate in-depth characterization.

historical summary of former manufactured gas plants in the city

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