San Diego

Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical was given two weeks to clean out three large storm drain systems where state investigators found sediment contaminated with cancer-causing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

The drains discharge into the Convair Lagoon portion of San Diego Bay, where the California Regional Water Quality Control Board said officials have found some of the highest PCB levels in the state.

The board has accused Teledyne Ryan of at least partial responsibility for the pollution. The defense contractor has denied the charge.

Late Friday, the board ordered the company to clean out most of the sumps and some of the drain lines in the three drain systems by Nov. 1. It also gave the company until Dec. 15 to submit plans for ensuring that there will be no illegal discharges into the bay in the future.

David Barker, a senior engineer with the board, said Teledyne Ryan has cooperated with the regulatory agency. He said the firm voluntarily submitted its own proposal for the cleanup, “which this order in large part incorporates, with a few minor revisions.”

Barker said the search for other facilities that may have contributed to the bay’s contamination is continuing. He said the board’s staff intends to inspect several plants near Teledyne’s Harbor Drive operation, including a Coast Guard installation, Lindbergh Field, General Dynamics’ Convair Division plant and a plant operated by PSA.