2016-79 Prohibiting the Use of Groundwater as Potable Water 3002 N Water

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Appendix A Frequently Asked Questions About Tiered Approach to Corrective Action Objectives (TACO) Ground Water Ordinances (Revised July 30, 2013) Background: The soil under many existing and former service stations is often contaminated with gasoline or the various chemical components of gasoline. The original source of the soil contamination may be from leaking underground storage tanks or from spills that may have occurred over time. Contamination may have spread into the soil under other properties including adjacent highways or streets. The Illinois Pollution Control Board has established rules for correcting or managing the soil contamination both on the service station site and on the adjacent public streets. These rules often result the implementation of a Ground Water Ordinance along with other options. 1. What is a TACO Agreement? A Tiered Approach to Corrective Action Objectives or"TACO" is a method used by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency(IEPA) for developing remediation objectives for contaminated soil and groundwater resulting from leaking underground storage tanks. These remediation objectives generally take the form of Highway Authority Agreements or Ground Water Ordinances. They protect human health and take into account site conditions and land use. Remediation objectives generated by TACO agreements are risk-based and site-specific. 2. Does the City currently enter into Highway Authority Agreements? Over the past several years,the IEPA has modified the required language in its Highway Authority Agreements. A major change was to increase the City's responsibility and liability over contamination that may enter its right of way from adjacent properties. Although supplemental agreements may be enacted to place requirements on the owner of the contaminated property, through the Highway Authority Agreement as currently written,the IEPA may still require the City to bear the ultimate liability for contamination in its right of way. At this time, City staff is recommending against entering into Highway Authority Agreements. 3. How can TACO help property owners? Previously,the IEPA used conservative "one-size-fits-all" remediation objectives at nearly every site. Baseline remediation objectives still exist, but other practical options also protective of human health have been added. TACO agreements provide flexibility to site owners and operators in developing site-specific remediation objectives. It's now the site owners and operators who decide how best to manage their sites within TACO guidelines. However,this determination of site- specific remediation objectives is subject to IEPA approval and also the approval of the owners of any affected properties. Page 13