City to remove leaking methane from Edison park

Angelique Flores

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- The city is seeking to hire a private company to

install a methane removal system at Edison Community Park.

The park sits on a former county-operated landfill, the Cannery Street

Refuse Disposal Station, which closed in 1969. City officials met Jan. 3

to discuss the best way to quickly handle the methane gas seeping from

the closed landfill before the conditions become hazardous.

When the methane is removed, city officials will go after the agency

responsible, which officials believe is County Integrated Waste

Management, the former landfill operator. The city hopes to recover costs

associated with the cleanup, which could amount to at least $200,000.

City officials’ main concern, however, is to eliminate the potential

hazard -- removing the methane as soon as possible.

After testing nearby Kettler Elementary School, as well as the

community center, fire station and homes in the area, consultants

determined those areas contained no gas of any type or level.

According to the analysis by GeoScience Analytical, consultants hired

by the city and school district, the methane is concentrated at the park,

near Stillwell Drive and Breton Lane.

“It’s not unsafe to be at the park,” said city spokesman Jim Hanggi.

“It’s harmful only if you’re there for a prolonged amount of time. But

it’s not a public health concern now.”

Methane is an odorless, colorless gas. Though it is flammable, it

isn’t toxic, Hanggi said. If the gas continues to migrate, about six to

nine homes along Stillwell Drive and Breton Lane could be affected, Fire

Chief Mike Dolder said.

“We’re attempting to alleviate it before it becomes a problem,” Dolder

said.

Huntington Beach City School District and Edison High School officials

say they will monitor the situation and its effects on the adjacent

schools.

The city hopes to install a removal system within the next few weeks,

Dolder said.