In August 2024, Ford began operating two soil vapor extraction systems (SVE systems) in the Bayridge Park and Belcourt Terrace communities. The SVE systems are designed to permanently remove VOCs from soil and will provide long-term protection of public health and the environment. These systems act like a household vacuum by extracting soil gas present below ground and drawing it above ground into a treatment building. The vapor is then treated to remove the VOCs before being safely released into the atmosphere in accordance with permits issued by both the City of Newport Beach and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (Air District).

Results from the ongoing operation and monitoring of the two SVE systems show significantly reduced VOC concentrations below ground. This reduces the risk associated with vapor intrusion and demonstrates that the remedy is working.

On June 23, 2026 and July 1, 2026, the Water Board approved the Decommissioning Reports for the Bayridge Park and Belcourt Terrace SVE systems, respectively. These reports present data supporting system shutdown and request approval to evaluate contaminant rebound for up to one year. Rebound refers to the potential for underground VOC concentrations to increase after system shutdown because residual VOCs can still slowly release from soils below ground.

The Water Board’s approval allows for the decommissioning of the two SVE systems, including removal of aboveground equipment. For the Bayridge Park SVE system, aboveground components will be removed prior to the August 28, 2026 expiration of the City of Newport Beach Limited Term Permit.

The aboveground equipment at Bayridge Park is scheduled for removal in early August 2026. The Belcourt Terrace SVE system does not have the same permit requirements for removal and will remain in place but will be non-operational during the rebound monitoring period.

Notifications will be provided to each community prior to decommissioning, including details on the schedule. In addition, phone calls and emails will be made to residents at properties immediately adjacent to the aboveground equipment to ensure they are informed of the planned work.

Additional information can be found on the Remediation/Mitigation page. The approved Decommissioning Reports can be accessed on the Project Documents page.

Concurrent with the operation of the SVE systems, Ford has operated 14 sub-slab depressurization systems (SSD systems) at homes within Bayridge Park to reduce the effects of vapor intrusion. The SSD systems will be shut down in August 2026 but will remain in place as a contingency measure during the rebound monitoring period. After the Water Board determines that the SSD systems are no longer needed, they will be removed in coordination with each homeowner.

Outside of Bayridge Park and Belcourt Terrace, Ford is conducting additional work in the Newport North Apartment Homes, Big Canyon Arroyo, and Corsica Villas communities, including installing new groundwater monitoring wells and soil gas probes to facilitate sample collection. Data from these locations will be used to prepare a Remedial Design and Implementation Plan for these areas. Additional details will be provided to affected communities prior to implementing any corrective actions.

Ford continues to monitor soil gas and indoor air conditions at 360 subsurface locations and about 384 properties at varying frequencies based on soil gas concentrations. Residents at properties that have already been evaluated are notified directly of their sampling frequencies.

The Water Board continues to keep the community informed of project activities through fact sheets and in-person, virtual and/or hybrid community meetings. Click on the Community Outreach tab for more information.