How many poisonous plumes exist in downtown Orlando?

[The Backlash Cometh]

This is peculiar. Years ago, there was a blurb in the Orlando Sentinel stating that the newspaper was responsible for dumping hazardous material in the city storm-water system. Apparently, a plume led investigators to the Orlando Sentinel offices.

Now they're reporting on another plume that was created by a "defunct NASA contractor." Does anybody know if this is a different plume from the Sentinel's plume? This town is not big enough for two plumes.


Developer sought for tainted land
Orlando seeks someone to assume 'a ton of risk' on polluted property

The pollution was discovered in 1992 when OUC was checking for a possible gasoline spill at its old maintenance yard just north of downtown Orlando near Lake Highland Preparatory School.

But OUC isn't at fault. An Environmental Protection Agency investigation determined that a long-defunct NASA contractor dumped about 550 gallons of a solvent called trichloroethene or TCE, nearby.

The pollution, thought to cause cancer, is between 25 and 40 feet beneath the surface and has spread underground in a plume covering about 40 acres.

The EPA fears that it will eventually get into the Floridan Aquifer -- our drinking-water supply -- or into Lake Highland.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-mhighland2806feb28,0,1405878.story

[Mojorabbit]

1. This is lovely

I wonder too what is under the former navy base and if those people buying those expensive places in Baldwin park will be sorry later.

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. Florida Aquifer. That's the operative word.

It doesn't matter where it is, if it hits the Aquifer we are potentially all screwed.

Less than a mile away from me they shut down a gasoline station because there was a leak in the underground tanks. I found this out from word of mouth. No response from the government. No article in the Sentinel. They just continue to leave people exposed to public hazards. And once Bush shuts down the information from those Death Certificates for 100 years, there will be no way to track down the hot spots.

I swear, Republicans must be devils in disguise to be this evil.

[democrat in Tallahassee]

3. Is Orlando Polluted?

Having worked in the environmental business in Orlado for years I am familliar with the Northern Downtown Orlando Plume... though to have originated from the Orlando Sentinel operations. The plume is quite large and is being pumped and treated with a series of wells being paid for by The State the City and the Sentinel.


The other plume mentioned -- the Lake Highland plume has also been investigated extensively but I don't know if a treatment system is in place.

Baldwin Park has undergone extensive investigation and cleanup and agreements remain in place to monitor remaining known contamintion. The State and the Navy have a cooperative agreement for the cleanup.

There are perhaps 10,000 leaking petroleum tank site in Florida and perhaps 3000 dry cleaner sites, not to mention several thousand old cattle dip vats and vast tracts of old ag lands being converted to housing.

The biggest threat to the aquifer in Orlando are the 100s of drainage wells that drain the streets directly into the Floridan.


hope this makes you feel better.

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. Gawd, I love DU.

What a great post. Thanks!

Do you suppose the Sentinel is beholden to the State for this partnership arrangement? Sure would make sense why they seem to always toot the conservative horn.