The Department of Toxics Substances Control (DTSC) has officially approved a report detailing the installation of two deep groundwater monitoring wells at the former Chicago Musical Instruments (CMI) site, a location with a complex environmental history. The report, prepared by TRC Solutions, Inc. on behalf of Pitney Bowes Inc. and Novitex Enterprises Solutions Inc., marks a significant step in ongoing efforts to monitor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at the approximately 7.5-acre site in California.

CMI operated on the property from 1964 to 1979, during which time several concrete sumps were constructed within its manufacturing facility. The site was subsequently acquired by United Duralume Products, Inc. (UDP) in November 1979. UDP’s manufacturing processes, involving aluminum sheeting, raised concerns as environmental investigations uncovered VOC contamination in soil and groundwater starting in 2010. This spurred DTSC to issue an Imminent and/or Substantial Endangerment Determination and Remedial Action Order.

In 2015, DTSC approved a Feasibility Study and Remedial Action Plan that outlined a comprehensive approach for cleanup, including institutional and engineering controls, soil vapor extraction (SVE), and in-situ treatment methods.

An Agreement to Perform Response Actions with Novitex and Pitney Bowes followed in 2016, leading to the implementation of various remediation systems. Notably, between 2017 and 2021, the expansion of SVE and the approval for in-situ air sparging operations aimed to significantly reduce VOC levels in the groundwater.

On November 23, 2021, DTSC greenlighted the installation of additional groundwater wells to better assess the extent of VOCs, culminating in the recent approval of two deep monitoring wells, MW-10 and MW-11. These wells, situated in Zone 5, aim to enhance ongoing assessments of contamination around the main sump area.

The report emphasizes the necessity for quarterly monitoring of these new wells, ensuring that DTSC remains vigilant in tracking the environmental stability of the site. In a statement accompanying the approval, DTSC requested that the agency be notified at least ten days before any fieldwork commences to allow for oversight during the operations.

As the remediation efforts continue, the collaboration between the DTSC and the involved companies will be critical to ensuring the safety and health of the surrounding community and the environment.