 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Water Leak at Tucson Convention Center (TCC) Environmental Services (ES) is supporting the General Services Department (GSD) in addressing any potential environmental issues associated with the water leak at the TCC Central Energy Plant Heating and Cooling Pipe Distribution System. The system provides heating and cooling for Tucson Police Department (TPD) headquarters, Tucson Fire Department (TFD) headquarters, TCC, the Music Hall, Freemont House, and the Leo Rich Theater.
Sodium nitrite was added to the pipeline to protect the heating and cooling equipment, and prevent corrosion from occurring in the metal pipes. To maintain optimal operation of the pipeline, sodium nitrite was added. While sodium nitrite is a common food additive, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has set limits for nitrate and nitrite in soil and groundwater. (Nitrite may convert to nitrate in groundwater.) The addition of sodium nitrite has been stopped at this time.
Immediately, ES has worked with the Tucson Water Department to determine there are no City of Tucson (COT) potable water supply wells in the area. ES has also checked all well records to determine if there are any private water supply wells in the area. The well records show there are no private wells in use for water supply in the TCC vicinity.
ES reviewed water quality records from COT monitor wells in the area. These monitor wells are shown on the attached map. ES will be sampling the monitor wells again in November 2006 to look for any trends in water quality.
To assess any potential environmental impacts at the immediate location of the heating and cooling pipeline, ES is currently planning to perform additional fieldwork at the TCC along the length of the pipeline. This work will include soil borings to determine depth to groundwater and collection of water quality samples, if possible. In addition, ES will coordinate with GSD to perform soil sampling during the replacement/repair of the pipeline. ES will collect and analyze samples for selected compounds, such as sodium, nitrite, and nitrate, and measure soil moisture and soil characteristics.
ADEQ has been notified of the TCC water leak and ES will be working closely with ADEQ to ensure all reporting and monitoring requirements are met. In addition, ADEQ will direct any additional actions as needed.
This information will be made available to the community and neighborhoods through this web site. If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Petersen, Deputy Director, ES, or Jeffrey Drumm, Environmental Manager, ES at 791-5414.
|