1.1.1 Incident Category

EPA-lead removal action at a defunct electroplating facility.

1.1.2 Site Description

 The site is a large, defunct plating shop, which was shut down by the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) in 2012, when the utility revoked ED-Coat's permit to discharge wastewater from their operations.  The facility has been idle since that time.  In the interim, plating tanks full of corrosive solutions have been degraded and many of them are now in very poor condition, presenting the threat of a release of toxic, corrosive liquids.

1.1.2.1 Location

 715 4th St, Oakland, CA 94607 

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Large plating tanks in very poor condition present the threat of a release of toxic, corrosive liquids. 

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

EPA and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) have conducted several sampling operations at the facility over the last few years.  This sampling has confirmed the presence of thousands of gallons of corrosive liquids, both acids and bases, many of them with high concentrations of toxic metals.  These liquids are stored in badly corroded steel tanks of various sizes.  On many of the tanks there are also extensive deposits of corrosive sodium hydroxide crystals, and some of the tanks show evidence of past leaks of contents, including hydroxide crystals on the floor or on adjacent piping. 

2.1.1 Narrative

EPA mobilized to the site on August 31, 2021 to begin removal operations. 

EPA and ERRS contractor began site setup, receiving equipment deliveries, setting up office trailers and beginning to clear debris and organize work areas in the facility.  ERRS began cutting up empty plating tanks on Line E and conducted hazcat assessment of drums of plating solutions present on the site.  START conducted additional assessment samples of wastes, collected samples of potential asbestos-containing materials, and carried out cyanide field screening of wastewaters that are scheduled to be pumped off the week of Sept 6.  No cyanides were present in these wastewaters.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

ED-Coat, and the various members of the Rossi family as owners of the property and former operators of the facility, are the only identified PRPs at the Site.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics