Suncoast Pinellas News
2 More Contaminated Wells Discovered
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Published: May 15, 2008
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ST. PETERSBURG -- Two more private irrigation wells in the Azalea neighborhood have turned up contaminated with industrial waste, bringing the number to eight residential wells tainted by the nearby Raytheon plant, the latest test results show.
The two additional wells tested April 29 and May 8 are in the 6900 block of 12th Avenue North and 16th Avenue North. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is sending notices to the two homeowners informing them their groundwater is polluted with industrial chemicals.
The other six tainted wells, tested from April 14 to 17, are scattered to the south as far as Eighth Avenue and to the east of the Raytheon site on 72nd Street, according to a report in March by Arcadis, a third-party company hired by Raytheon to test irrigation wells in the west St. Petersburg neighborhood.
In addition, three test wells in residential areas near the Raytheon plant tested positive recently for contaminants. What's more, earlier test wells revealed contamination under parks, playgrounds and homes within a half-mile radius of the Raytheon plant. Those wells are not used for irrigation.
DEP officials have said they are not sure whether the contaminated wells pose any danger to homeowners or their pets. Raytheon has said that a health risk assessment report in 2005 indicates there is no threat to public health.
The company is updating that assessment as part of its ongoing study of the pollution problem.
The pollutants include such industrial chemicals as 1,4-Dioxane, TCE and vinyl chloride, all considered hazardous to humans.
Both Raytheon and the state knew about the pollution for years, but did not warn homeowners about a spreading plume of industrial waste under their homes. The chemicals started leaking at least 17 years ago when E-Systems occupied the property, which Raytheon purchased in 1995.
Residents have filed two class-action lawsuits against Raytheon after a News Channel 8 and Tampa Tribune investigation last month revealed that a toxic plume infiltrated groundwater in the neighborhood. Raytheon this week filed a petition that automatically moves the lawsuits to federal court from state court.
The DEP expects to receive a final assessment report from Raytheon on the extent of groundwater pollution by May 30. A cleanup plan is due 60 days after that.
Reporter Carlos Moncada can be reached at (727) 451-2333 or cmoncada@tampatrib.com. Reporter Mark Douglas can be reached at (727) 536-9603 or mdouglas@wfla.com.
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