Full Description

In routine response to taste and odor complaints, the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) drained and cleaned a 65-mil-gal reinforced-concrete reservoir used to store treated water. The polysulfide caulking material used to seal joints between floor panels was in poor condition and required replacement. The deteriorated caulking was analyzed to determine whether it would require special handling before disposal. Analyses indicated that the caulking contained about 20 percent polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Tests confirmed that the caulk did not pose a threat to drinking water quality; however, it was inappropriately released to a nearby drainage course, thus contaminating soils. EBMUD is completing a $2-million remediation and restoration of the drainage course and is investigating PCBs in sealants in all its distribution system reservoirs. Unless disposed of properly, the PCB-laden sealants pose a tremendous liability for EBMUD and for other water utilities with similar facilities. Includes 6 references, figure.

Product Details

Edition: Vol. 87 - No. 4 Published: 04/01/1995 Number of Pages: 5 File Size: 1 file , 860 KB