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Waste From Raytheon Found In St. Pete Irrigation Wells

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By MARK DOUGLAS News Channel 8

The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 30, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - At least six private irrigation wells in the Azalea neighborhood are contaminated with industrial waste from the Raytheon defense plant, according to test results released Tuesday by an independent firm.

The tainted wells are scattered to the south as far as Eighth Avenue and to the east of the Raytheon site on 72nd Street, according to a report sent to affected homeowners by Gus Suarez, project manager of engineering firm Arcadis.

Thirty-nine out of 63 wells have been tested.

Deborah Getzoff, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's district director, said she is not sure whether the contaminated wells pose any danger.

"We are asking them until further notice to not use their irrigation wells and to please use municipal water for irrigation purposes until further notice," Getzoff said.

One well on Eighth Avenue shows 20 parts per billion of 1,4-Dioxane in the water, a concentration exceeding the department's drinking water standard for that chemical of 3.2 parts per billion, Suarez reported.

Residents have filed lawsuits against Raytheon Corp. after a News Channel 8 and Tampa Tribune investigation last month revealed that a toxic plume infiltrated groundwater in the neighborhood.

Reporter Ray Reyes contributed to this report. News Channel 8 reporter Mark Douglas can be reached at (727) 536-9603 or mdouglas@wfla.com.

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