Dual-phase contamination cleanup is set to begin in Lodi, Calif., the site of one of the longest-running and most contentious lawsuits involving cleanup funding. Though the city hasnít yet collected all of the money necessary to pay for the cleanup – estimated to total $45.7 million – pumps and vacuums have been installed to begin dual-phase extraction to remediate perc wastes simultaneously from contaminated soil and groundwater.
Chemical contamination was discovered in Lodiís water in 1989. In 1996, the city filed suit against businesses suspected of contributing to the contamination. Most parties have since settled, but the city plans to take the remaining defendants to trial if no settlements are achieved by June 2008. The cleanup could take up to 30 years to complete, authorities say.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Dave Davis at [email protected].