Santa Fe Springs : More Tests Near Waste Site

The City Council, acting as the Redevelopment Agency, agreed to fund further soil tests on property adjacent to a toxic-waste site to speed industrial development in the area.

Although limited soil tests were conducted, the city wants further testing done to see if any hazardous-waste problems exist at the property on Los Nietos Road and Greenleaf Avenue, said Richard Weaver, city director of planning and development. The tests are also recommended by the California Department of Health Services.

He said the consultants who did the first test did not use the proper techniques. “There is a potential of migration from the Waste Disposal site,” Weaver said. The tests will determine “whether or not there is a problem.” If there is a problem, Weaver said, the city will look for ways to remedy it so development can go ahead.

The property borders the former Waste Disposal Inc. site, ranked 55th on the state’s October list of worst toxic-waste sites targeted for cleanup.

Weaver said the property owner, Phil Campbell, has agreed to pay for half the $18,000 allocated for the tests once the property is sold. He said the property is in escrow for industrial development.

Dames & Moore, a Santa Barbara consulting firm that did similar tests at the Waste Disposal Inc. site last year, will be conducting the additional testing.