Two South Gate Industrial Facilities Among Nation's Worst Toxic Sites

Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency added the Southern Industrial Area and the Jervis B. Webb Co in South Gate to its superfund list. This list is made up of sites that the EPA considers among the most toxic in the nation. Both sites were included because of soil and ground water contamination.

“These industrial plants are located in the I-710 corridor, a priority area for EPA, where low-income and minority populations are overburdened by pollution,” said Jared Blumenfeld, an EPA Regional Administrator. “Now that these sites are officially on the Superfund list, EPA will begin full-scale investigations of the contaminated soil and drinking water sources.”

The sites are contaminated with volatile organic compounds, which include solvent that is used for cleaning metal parts, said the EPA.

For the past three decades, the Southern Avenue Industrial Area site has been used by a entity that produces hot-melt adhesive tape for placing carpets. Before that it housed a company that made screws, according to the EPA.

The Jervis B. Webb Co. performed metal fabrication, painting and assembly operations for conveyor belt systems from the 1950s to the late 90’s on part of the site. This portion was then bought Reliable Steel Inc. in 1997. Blake Rivet Company also used another portion of this location for aluminum and stainless steel aircraft rivets until 1981, said the EPA.

The EPA estimates that there are at least 35 drinking water wells, which serve around 226,000 people, within close proximity of the sites. The drinking water has yet to be contaminated, but could at some point in the future if the sites are not cleaned.

“The drinking water supply wells immediately down gradient of the two sites are located in a deeper aquifer and are not currently contaminated,” said press release from the EPA. “ [But] there is the potential that drinking water wells may become contaminated.”

Steve Lefever, Community Development Manager for the city of South Gate, said that listing of these two sites was a good thing.

“The Federal Government will now take the lead on evaluating the extent of the contamination, meet with all potentially responsible parties on their financial responsibilities, and in time formulate a clean-up plan,” said Lefever.

Once the clean up is finished the sites could be prepared for redevelopment.

“Dependent on the scope and type of contamination and the clean up operation requirements, the properties could be readied for possible redevelopment,” said Lefever.

South Gate already has 1 superfund site within the city. The former Cooper Drum property, which is located near Atlantic Avenue and Southern Avenue, is going through demolishment and is being cleaned.

“The existing structures on the property, outside the contaminated area are being demolished,” said Lefever. “The city is in discussions with a developer on the possible acquisition and redevelopment of the site.”

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