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 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. 

During the week of September 13, 2021, ERRS contractors pumped approximately 25,000 gallons of wastewater and hazardous waste liquids, which were transported off-site for disposal, in addition to six roll-off bins of RCRA debris. ERRS crew has continued to solidify and remove sludges from tanks in the D, E, and F plating lines and continues to cut and stage tanks for removal. START continues to carry out air monitoring and sampling, and collect additional samples for waste characterization as needed. On September 15th, Oakland Fire assisted with HazCat classification of a tank of approximately 1000 gallons of unknown acid.  On September 17, ERRS began pumping acids present in lesser volumes, primarily from line C, into totes for transportation and disposal.  ERRS continued assessment and removal of piping on line F, to allow for plumbed tanks to be removed.

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
Waste sent out for disposal from the E-D Coat Site:
CY = cubic yards
gal = gallons