Welcome. This page contains information on the evaluation of potential sources for PCBs in sediments draining to San Francisco Bay from the Ettie Street Pump Station Watershed. The project is being performed as part of a State-funded water quality grant (Proposition 13). The Ettie Street Pump Station Watershed is located in a portion of West Oakland, east of Highway 880 and south of Highway 580 (see map on the Fact Sheet).

Grant Project Status

• Evaluation of potential source properties was performed through records research and visual inspections of public and private properties.
• Soil samples were collected from sediments in right-of-way areas based on the evaluation of potential source properties. The maximum concentration detected was 31.3 parts per million (ppm). PCB concentrations exceeding the residential environmental screening level (ESL) of 0.22 ppm were detected in 36 of 59 sediment samples. A copy of the Sediment Sampling Report is attached (Note: this is a very large file - over 11,500 KB, in pdf format).
• Soil samples were collected from private properties based on the results of the right-of-way sampling and analyzed. The maximum concentration detected was 93.4 ppm. PCB concentrations exceeding the residential ESL were detected in 18 of 25 sediment samples. A copy of the Private Property Sediment Sampling Report is attached (pdf format).
• Random sampling of right-of-way areas was performed by the City for comparison with the targeted sampling. A copy of the Random Sampling Report is attached (pdf format).
• A public right-of-way abatement pilot study is tentatively scheduled for mid-May. Power washing and vacuuming of paved streets, gutters, and sidewalks and debris removal were the selected abatement methods. In addition, the City, Regional Water Quality Control Board, and Department of Toxic Substances Control are requiring actions to reduce PCB migration from private properties to the right-of-way and enforcing cleanup at private properties confirmed to be sources of PCBs.
• Read the April 2006 Fact Sheet for more information (pdf format).
• Project ends on September 30, 2006.

If you would like to speak directly with someone regarding this project, please contact Mark Arniola, Environmental Program Specialist, at (510) 238-7371 or at marniola@oaklandnet.com.