beckman instruments (porterville plant)

167 W POPLAR AVE

The Beckman Instruments (Porterville Plant) site covers approximately 500 acres in Porterville, California. The plant itself occupies 12 acres. The company has manufactured printed circuit boards and electronic instrument parts at the facility since 1968. Wastes generated from these operations included solvents, acid solutions, and heavy metals. From 1974 until 1983, these wastes were disposed of in an evaporation pond on site. This pond is the most likely source of groundwater contamination in the area surrounding the Beckman facility. In addition to the pond, three other areas where wastes were dumped include the former enchant tank area, the ammonium persulfate and copper waste discharge area (known as the soil stain area), and the depression area. Liquids from the pond were first detected in 1978 in a leak detection sump underlying the pond. Subsequent groundwater monitoring indicated the presence of elevated levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals. Numerous residences are located near the site. In addition, Porterville College is located just east of the site, and downtown Porterville is located about 2,000 feet north of the site. A municipal water supply well lies about 500 feet northwest of the facility. Approximately 475 people live within a mile of the plant and are affected by the contaminated groundwater.