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In response to an inquiry by Mr. Thorne, Mr. Roush said a number of wells in the area had been tested for a number of different compounds and the results are being used to establish the baseline. Staff would continue to monitor not only groundwater but also surface water runoff consistent with what was provided for in the Specific Plan to make sure there are no detrimental effects from the Golf Course and the adjacent homes. Ms. McGovern recalled the staff report indicated the groundwater in the Happy Valley area had been contaminated since the 1970's. She wondered if this was why Alameda County had not allowed any housing to be built with septiC tanks? Mr. Iserson said a moratorium has been in place by the Alameda County Health Department for a number of years because of the problem with septic tanks and wells in that area, and as properties are hook-up to the City's sewer and water system, the problem is not complicated further. Ms. McGovern believed the City needed to be good neighbors and make sure that it was not doing anything that would contaminate the groundwater basin any more than it currently is. She asked if staff was monitoring the groundwater and if it had conducted baseline studies that would determine if the Golf Course was impacting it? Mr. Iserson said yes. Ms. McGovern referred to a letter presented to staff by the Department of Toxic Substances Control, which stated, "since the past usage of the parcel was agricultural, the presence of pesticides in the soil was a concern and could pose a potential health risk to the future residents." She asked staff if the City had any control over what types of pesticides are being used for agriculture in Happy Valley? Mr. Iserson said agricultural uses are controlled by other agencies. The purpose of the letter was in response to the Spotorno Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and staff wanted to make sure this issue was addressed and that it would not be an impact to future residents. Ms. McGovern believed the Happy Valley area had been agricultural for a long period of time and it also supports animals and there would be some contamination of the soil with nitrates attributed by the livestock. She wanted the City to be good caretakers and make sure it monitored its impact. Mr. Brozosky said many of the problems related to wells and nitrates are usually attributed to failed septic systems. He asked if the County had any requirements or if the City could make requirements for those residents who are having problems with their wells to require them to conducting testing of their leach fields to make sure it was not contaminating the groundwater for the neighborhood? Mr. Roush said he was not familiar with the County ordinance that addressed this matter. He was not aware of any ongoing monitoring program that the County imposes on individuals to determine whether or not their leach fields are working properly. If a septic system fails, the County is not allowing these tanks to be repaired and is requiring the individuals to hook into the City's system because it did not want to continue to exasperate the problem. Pleasanton City Council Minutes 15 11/1 5/05