Plan to Clean Up Toxic Ground Water Is Revived

A long-delayed plan to clean up contaminated ground water beneath Baldwin Park and other cities was revived Wednesday when officials announced a way to remove a rocket fuel component in the water.

Last year, a joint group of water districts and local firms developed a plan with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to remove volatile organic compounds from water beneath Baldwin Park, Azusa and Irwindale--an area designated a Superfund site by federal officials.

But the plan had to be put on hold when the rocket fuel component, perchlorate, was discovered in seven wells because the proposal was not designed to remove such harmful matter.

Water officials said if the pilot project proves successful, it could have national implications because perchlorate is plaguing areas nationwide.

Three Valleys Municipal Water District officials said a biological process using microorganisms has been developed to remove perchlorate. Authorities plan to build a plant in Baldwin Park next year that would clean the water to meet state standards.

Officials said none of the water would be used by the public until it has been proved safe. The pilot project must get EPA approval before the plant is built.