PG and E successfully meets Hinkley groundwater cleanup milestones ahead of schedule

The ongoing cleanup efforts at the PG&E Hinkley site are showing promising results, with the company meeting key milestones in its remediation of hexavalent chromium contamination. This site, a natural gas compressor station, has been under scrutiny for nearly four decades due to its historical discharge of harmful chemicals into the groundwater.

Hexavalent chromium, a toxic substance, was first reported in the area almost 40 years ago, leading to a cleanup abatement order issued in 1985. Remediation efforts began in 1992, utilizing in situ remediation and agricultural treatment units to address the contamination. The site’s location in the desert has complicated matters, as past discharges flowed directly into the aquifer, impacting local community wells.

In 2015, PG&E was issued a revised cleanup order, setting ambitious targets to reduce hexavalent chromium levels to 50 parts per billion in 90% of the wells by the end of 2025, and to 10 parts per billion in 80% of the wells by 2032. Remarkably, PG&E has already achieved these milestones ahead of schedule.

The Water Resources Control Board plans to revise the cleanup order based on a recent background study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, which aims to clarify the levels of chromium due to both natural and anthropogenic sources. Community sentiment appears to be shifting positively, with residents expressing support for PG&E's efforts and acknowledging the progress made.

As the cleanup continues, the Water Board remains committed to monitoring the situation closely, ensuring that the health and safety of the Hinkley community are prioritized.