BACKGROUND: In 2003, the Texas Legislature authorized the creation of Municipal Setting Designations, (MSD), which designate an area in which the use of contaminated groundwater is prohibited for use as potable water. The law is administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and requires local City support to designate an MSD. The intent of the legislation is to encourage redevelopment of vacant or abandoned properties while protecting public health. On August 22, 2007, City Council approved an ordinance amending Chapter 47 of the Code of Ordinance by adding Article XIII relating to groundwater, which provides a process to support or not support an MSD application to the State (ordinance amended 7/14/2010).
CENTRAL INDUSTRIAL PARK, LTD. APPLICATION: Central Industrial Park, Ltd. is seeking a Municipal Setting Designation (MSD) for 8.1858 acres of land located at 600-720 West 6th Street, Houston, TX 77007. The contamination consists of Carbon Tetrachloride, Chloroform, 2,2-Dichloroethene, Methylene Chloride, and nitrates. Swift Chemical Company is the former operator of the site. The Swift Chemical facility was demolished prior to 1981. Groundwater plumes for all COCs have been delineated in all directions and the groundwater plumes are stable or declining. A licensed Professional Engineer has certified that the area of contamination has been thoroughly investigated, is fully defined and is stable.
Central Industrial Park, Ltd. is seeking an MSD for this property to restrict access to groundwater to protect the public against possible exposure to the contaminants. There is a public drinking water supply system that meets state requirements that supplies or is capable of supplying drinking water to the MSD property and all properties within one-half mile of the MSD property. A public meeting was held on September 3, 2014 at the Houston Permitting Center, and a public hearing was held on September 11, 2014 during the Transportation, Technology, and Infrastructure Committee. Both meetings are necessary steps prior to City Council's consideration of support.
RECOMMENDATIONS: It recommended that City Council adopt a Municipal Setting Designation (MSD) ordinance prohibiting the use of designated groundwater at the Central Industrial Park, Ltd site located at 600-720 West 6th Street, Houston, TX 77007, and support issuance of an MSD by the Texas Commision on Environmental Quality.