Meghan Hodges
Between 1952 and 1966, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) dumped around 370 million US gallons of hexavalent chromium-tainted wastewater into unlined ponds near Hinkley, California. Hexavalent chromium, also known as chromium-6, is a toxic form of chromium that is soluble in alkaline water and is commonly used in industrial processes. The dumping of this wastewater led to groundwater pollution, affecting the soil and contaminating water wells near the compressor station. This incident gained national attention due to the efforts of activist Erin Brockovich, who initiated an investigation into the health impacts of the contamination in 1993. A class-action lawsuit was settled in 1996 for $333 million, and PG&E agreed to clean up the contaminated groundwater. Despite these efforts, the town of Hinkley continues to struggle with water contamination, illustrating the challenges of remediating decades-old water pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Hinkley, California, US |
| Pollutant | Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI) |
| Source of Pollution | Leak from a compressor station owned by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) |
| Time Period | 1952 to 1966 |
| Affected Population | Approximately 600 residents of Hinkley |
| Health Effects | Skin rashes, nosebleeds, ulcers, respiratory issues, and an increased risk of cancer |
| Legal Action | In 1996, a $333 million settlement was reached between PG&E and the residents of Hinkley |
| Popular Culture | The incident gained fame due to the movie 'Erin Brockovich' released in 2000 |
| Remediation | PG&E has been working on cleanup efforts, including groundwater treatment and soil vapor extraction |
| Current Status | As of 2023, PG&E continues to monitor and treat groundwater to meet cleanup goals |
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What You'll Learn
- Chromium-6, a toxic chemical, was added to water to prevent rusting and corrosion
- PG&E dumped chromium-tainted wastewater into unlined ponds, contaminating groundwater
- PG&E was sued and settled for $333 million in 1996, but the pollution continues to haunt the town
- Cleanup processes involve converting toxic chromium-6 to chromium-3, a harmless micronutrient
- The town of Hinkley, now known as the 'Erin Brockovich town', has become almost a ghost town
Chromium-6, a toxic chemical, was added to water to prevent rusting and corrosion
From 1952 to 1966, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) used chromium 6, also known as hexavalent chromium, in its compressor station for natural-gas transmission pipelines in Hinkley, California. Chromium 6 is a toxic chemical that was added to the water in the cooling towers to prevent rust and corrosion in the machinery. During this period, PG&E dumped approximately 370 million US gallons of chromium-tainted wastewater into unlined wastewater spreading ponds near the town. The water was stored in these unlined ponds, allowing it to percolate into the groundwater and causing widespread pollution.
The use of chromium 6 as a rust inhibitor was a common practice during the mid-20th century. It was cheap and efficient, making it a popular choice for industries. However, the dumping of chromium-tainted wastewater resulted in the contamination of soil and water wells near the compressor station. By 2013, the plume of contaminated water had grown to six miles long and nearly two miles wide, affecting the local ecosystem and the health of residents.
The contamination in Hinkley gained national attention due to the efforts of Erin Brockovich, a local activist who began investigating the health impacts of the pollution in 1993. A class-action lawsuit was filed, and in 1996, the community won a $333 million legal settlement against PG&E. Despite this victory, the cleanup process has proven challenging. PG&E has been working to convert the toxic chromium 6 into the less harmful chromium 3 through various methods, but the lingering presence of the chemical in the water illustrates the difficulty of completely eradicating such contamination.
The impact of the hexavalent chromium pollution in Hinkley has been significant. It has led to health issues among residents, including increased risks of cancer and organ damage. The contamination has also resulted in a decline in the town's population, as people moved away due to fears of the toxic water. PG&E has purchased many homes in Hinkley on contaminated land and bulldozed them to avoid squatters, further contributing to the town's dwindling population. The ongoing struggle to remove dangerous chemicals from the drinking water in Hinkley highlights the challenges of addressing water contamination and ensuring safe drinking water for communities.
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PG&E dumped chromium-tainted wastewater into unlined ponds, contaminating groundwater
From 1952 to 1966, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) dumped around 370 million US gallons of chromium-tainted wastewater into unlined ponds near Hinkley, California. The water contained hexavalent chromium, a cheap and efficient rust inhibitor, to prevent corrosion in the cooling towers of its natural-gas transmission pipelines. The use of hexavalent chromium in industrial processes is common, and it can be found in electroplating, welding, and pigment production. However, it is a toxic and carcinogenic substance, and its presence in drinking water poses significant health risks.
The unlined ponds allowed the contaminated water to percolate into the groundwater, resulting in severe soil pollution and water well contamination. By 2013, the plume of contaminated water had grown to six miles long and nearly two miles wide, affecting the health of Hinkley residents and the environment.
In response to the contamination, PG&E has been working to clean up the tainted groundwater and contain the spread of the chromium-6 plume. They have employed various methods, including pumping ethanol-filled water into the soil and using alfalfa fields, which naturally convert chromium-6 to the harmless micronutrient chromium-3.
The contamination of Hinkley's groundwater has had lasting impacts on the community. PG&E has purchased and bulldozed many homes on contaminated land, reducing the town's population. The ongoing cleanup efforts and fear of further deception or mismanagement have left those remaining residents concerned about their water safety.
The story of Hinkley and its water contamination gained national attention due to the movie "Erin Brockovich," which depicted the community's struggle and successful class-action lawsuit against PG&E. The lawsuit resulted in a \$333 million settlement in 1996, with additional settlements reached in subsequent years.
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PG&E was sued and settled for $333 million in 1996, but the pollution continues to haunt the town
Between 1952 and 1966, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) dumped around 370 million US gallons of hexavalent chromium-tainted wastewater into unlined ponds near Hinkley, California. This highly toxic chemical, also known as chromium 6, was used to prevent rust in the machinery at PG&E's compressor station. As a result of this dumping, the chemical seeped into the groundwater, contaminating the water supply of Hinkley.
In 1993, legal clerk Erin Brockovich began an investigation into the health impacts of the contamination. This led to a class-action lawsuit, which was settled on July 2, 1996, for $333 million (around $634 million in 2023). The utility company was found liable for dumping hexavalent chromium, which is a known carcinogen.
Despite the settlement, the pollution continued to haunt the town. PG&E bought most of the homes on contaminated land and bulldozed them to avoid squatters, and successive rounds of real estate buyouts reduced the town's population by half by 2016. The cleanup process has proven challenging, and even with ongoing efforts, the lingering presence of chromium-6 in the water supply remains a concern for residents.
PG&E has been working to convert the toxic chromium-6 into the less harmful chromium-3 through various methods, including pumping ethanol-filled water into the soil and using alfalfa fields, which naturally make this conversion. By 2013, the company had spent over $750 million on remediation, and significant progress has been made in reducing chromium-6 levels in the groundwater. However, the contamination's effects on the town's water supply and the health of its residents continue to be a pressing issue.
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Cleanup processes involve converting toxic chromium-6 to chromium-3, a harmless micronutrient
From 1952 to 1966, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) dumped around 370 million US gallons of chromium-tainted wastewater into unlined ponds near Hinkley, California. The water in the cooling towers contained hexavalent chromium (chromium 6), a cheap and efficient rust inhibitor, to prevent rust in the machinery. This led to groundwater pollution, affecting the soil and contaminating water wells near the compressor station.
Hexavalent chromium is a toxic form of chromium commonly found in industrial processes such as electroplating, welding, and pigment production. It is soluble in alkaline (high pH) water and oxic (contains dissolved oxygen) water. In 1993, legal clerk Erin Brockovich began an investigation into the health impacts of the contamination, and a class-action lawsuit was settled in 1996 for $333 million.
The Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board has been working with PG&E on the cleanup efforts, and by 2013, the company had spent over $750 million on remediation. The cleanup process includes the use of technical working groups, consisting of members of the Hinkley community, consultants, and independent advisors, to address groundwater remediation issues.
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The town of Hinkley, now known as the 'Erin Brockovich town', has become almost a ghost town
The town of Hinkley, California, has become synonymous with the story of Erin Brockovich, a legal clerk and activist who fought for clean water in the town. Hinkley gained fame as the setting of the award-winning film "Erin Brockovich," which depicted the true story of how Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) contaminated the town's groundwater with hexavalent chromium, also known as chromium-6. From 1952 to 1966, PG&E dumped about 370 million gallons of chromium-tainted wastewater into unlined ponds near the town. Hexavalent chromium was used as a cheap and efficient rust inhibitor in the company's natural gas transmission pipelines.
The contamination led to a class-action lawsuit, which was settled in 1996 for $333 million. Despite this victory, the town has struggled to recover. In 2016, The New York Times described Hinkley as having slowly become a ghost town. While some have disputed this label, it is true that PG&E bought most of the homes on contaminated land and bulldozed them, reducing the population significantly. Those who remain in Hinkley deal with the ongoing cleanup efforts and the ever-present threat of further deception or mismanagement.
The contamination of Hinkley's water supply had a devastating impact on the health of its residents. Chromium-6 is a toxic and carcinogenic substance that can cause increased risks of cancer, as well as kidney, stomach, and liver damage. Many residents reported health issues such as asthma, chronic coughs, recurring bronchitis, rashes, joint aches, and nosebleeds. The contamination also led to the death of livestock on local farms.
The cleanup process has been challenging and protracted. PG&E has been working to convert chromium-6 to chromium-3, a harmless micronutrient, through various methods such as pumping ethanol-filled water into the soil and using alfalfa fields. By 2013, the company had spent over $750 million on remediation efforts, and significant progress has been made in reducing chromium-6 levels. However, the contamination's effects continue to linger, and the town remains known for its toxic water and the struggle for clean water that followed.
The story of Erin Brockovich brought national attention to Hinkley and highlighted the difficulties of addressing water contamination. The town's experience serves as a reminder of the importance of providing safe and reliable access to clean water, a challenge that persists in many communities across the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
Hexavalent chromium, also known as chromium-6, is a toxic form of chromium commonly found in industrial processes such as electroplating, welding, and pigment production.
From 1952 to 1966, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) used chromium-6 as a rust inhibitor in the cooling towers of its compressor station in Hinkley. The water from these towers was then disposed of in unlined ponds, allowing it to seep into the groundwater and contaminate the water supply.
The contamination has been linked to various health issues among Hinkley residents, including asthma, chronic cough, recurring bronchitis, rashes, joint aches, and nosebleeds. Prolonged exposure to chromium-6 through breathing or drinking has also been associated with an increased risk of cancer, as well as kidney, stomach, and liver damage.
In 1996, a group of Hinkley residents, with the help of activist Erin Brockovich, won a $333 million legal settlement against PG&E. The company was found liable for dumping hexavalent chromium and contaminating the groundwater. PG&E has since settled additional cases related to the Hinkley claims and has been working on cleanup efforts.
PG&E has been working to convert chromium-6 to chromium-3, a harmless micronutrient, through various processes. They have also purchased properties and land in Hinkley and partnered with local farmers to boost the local economy and support California's climate change goals. As of 2024, residents still express concerns about their drinking water, indicating that the cleanup process is ongoing.
