ERAS performed a Phase I investigation for a commercial building in western Hayward. Review of the file for a closed fuel leak site adjacent to the east indicated that very high concentrations of gasoline contamination were found ON THE PROPERTY in 1996. The data collected by ERAS indicated an off-site source even though the most likely source site had been closed by the City of Hayward and Regional Water Board. This included 1) no gasoline found in soil and high concentrations of gasoline in groundwater and 2) no historical evidence of uses of the area of the Property that would have caused gasoline contamination.

The owner was unable to sell the Property and asked ERAS to suggest a Phase 2 investigation to prove the contamination was migrating from off-site. ERAS instead performed a Technical Review of the file for the leak case. ERAS was able to document that high concentrations of gasoline was left in soil beneath the groundwater table under the property line of the adjacent site. The contamination appeared to have been washed into an adjacent unlined creek, migrated downstream and then contaminated groundwater under the up-gradient corner of the Property. The Regional Water Board agreed and wrote a “comfort letter” for the owner and buyer and the Property was sold using SBA financing.
(Client: Paul Beckwith, Cornish and Carey)