Soil Vapor Contamination

Environmental investigations at Quito Village Shopping Center have identified elevated levels of tetrachloroethene (PCE), benzene, and ethylbenzene in soil vapor (the air space between the individual soil grains) beneath the shopping center. The contamination can be attributed to past operations of the former Quito Dry Cleaners and a former gas station. Although the contamination is associated with past operators, the current site owner has requested oversight from the County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health (DEH). 

Corrective Action Work Plan & Public Comment Period

A Corrective Action Work Plan has been developed proposing soil vapor extraction remediation and a vapor intrusion mitigation system to reduce and mitigate risk associated with elevated PCE and benzene concentrations in soil vapor. 

A Notice of Opportunity for Public Comment has been issued inviting the public to review the Corrective Action Work Plan and other related documents, then submit written comments to DEH by April 8, 2022 using the online Site Mitigation Program’s Public Comment Form. 

Work will be performed by the current site owner’s environmental consultant and regulated by the DEH. The City of Saratoga has no authority over the site assessment and remediation; however, given community concern about the topic, the City is working in cooperation with the DEH to keep residents updated.

Additional Information

For more information or to sign up for email notifications about the Quito Village Development Project and ongoing environmental investigations, please visit www.saratoga.ca.us/QuitoVillage