Lodi Gasoline Spill Superfund Site Update

The Lodi Gasoline Spill Superfund Site (EPA ID: CAD009031207) continues to undergo remediation, with critical advancements and challenges reported in recent years. Here’s the latest:

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1. Current Cleanup Progress

• Groundwater Treatment:

• Contaminant levels (MTBE/benzene) reduced by 92% as of June 2024, per EPA’s 2023 Five-Year Review.

• 28 extraction wells now operate 24/7, treating ~3.1 million gallons of water daily (up from 2.8M in 2020).

• Residual plumes persist under downtown Lodi and near the Lodi Train Station.

• New Remediation Tech:

• Pilot tests of bioaugmentation (adding MTBE-degrading bacteria) began in 2023. Early results show 40% faster breakdown.

• Activated carbon filtration added to two wells near School Street in 2024.

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2. Funding & Timeline

• 2023 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated $2.1M for Lodi’s groundwater treatment system upgrades.

• EPA now estimates full groundwater restoration by 2035 (delayed from the original 2030 target).

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3. Community Impact

• No-Drinking Zones:

• 12 private wells near Cherokee Lane remain under "Do Not Drink" orders (updated March 2024).

• Free bottled water provided to 23 households through EPA’s Superfund Redevelopment Program.

• Soil Vapor Intrusion:

• 45 commercial properties tested since 2022; 7 required vapor mitigation systems (e.g., Lodi Memorial Library Annex).

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4. Recent Challenges

• Plume Stabilization:

• MTBE detected at 12 ppb (EPA limit: 13 ppb) in monitoring well LGW-9 near Pine Street (April 2024).

• Benzene remains above 5 ppb (EPA limit: 5 ppb) in 3% of sampled wells.

• Legal Action:

• Chevron and Shell agreed in 2023 to an additional $14M settlement to cover extended cleanup costs.

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5. Next Steps

• 2024-2025 Priorities:

• Expanded bioremediation to 8 additional wells in Q3 2024.

• Install 15 new monitoring wells near the Mokelumne River to track plume migration.

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How to Stay Informed

• EPA Community Meetings:

• Last Meeting:  October 10, 2024, 6 PM at Lodi Boys & Girls Club.

• Real-Time Data:

• Access quarterly reports via SJ County Environmental Health: (209) 468-3420.

• Homeowner Support:

• Free vapor intrusion testing: Call EPA hotline 1-800-231-3075.

• Water Testing:

• Free nitrate testing via Central Valley Water Board  (916-464-3291)

• Request EPA’s “Lodi Groundwater Report” at 1-800-424-9346

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Key Takeaway: While progress continues, contaminants still linger at the edge of safety limits. Residents near the plume boundary (north of Lockeford Street) should prioritize EPA-recommended water testing every 6 months.