What have they found?
Releases of industrial wastes and petroleum products in the Terminal Reserve Area have resulted in both soil and groundwater contamination.
Preliminary environmental testing has shown that some of the soil and groundwater contamination in certain areas is in excess of levels protective of human health and the environment.
The study found a couple of groundwater plumes of concern on the south side of Ship Creek and some poly-chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on the north side of Ship Creek.
Chevron and Flint Hills both have facilities to the northwest of the Terminal Reserve area, and they have agreed to do risk assessment studies on their facilities. Risk assessment studies calculate the quantity of contaminants, their effects on human health, and the potential pathways that these contaminants can take to impact humans.
Could my drinking water be affected by this?
No. The Municipality of Anchorage drinking water system obtains its water from sources several miles upgradient from the Anchorage Terminal Reserve. Environmental conditions at the Site could not affect these wells. If EPA or ARRC determines that any groundwater at the Site is being used as a source of drinking water, that use will be investigated to determine whether it creates any risk to human health.
Is Ship Creek affected by this?
A Ship Creek Surface Water and Sediment Assessment was completed by the ARRC in 2004. The general conclusions of this study indicated: 1) “the environmental quality of surface waters and surface sediments in the areas included in this study to not indicate widespread or significant contamination with the constituents that were analyzed for in these samples”, and 2) “the metals concentrations in sediment samples appear to represent naturally occurring background or upgradient conditions. The metals concentrations are generally higher in sediments near the lower extent of Ship Creek, below the lower dam … affected by saltwater…”
Based on this, widespread or “significant” contamination doesn’t appear to be present in Ship Creek. It is important to keep in mind that this study provided a single snapshot in time. As more information about the groundwater dynamics in the area are gained through the ongoing investigation work, the potential threats to Ship Creek, if any, will be much better defined.