Overview

Since 2018, Ford has conducted investigation work under the direction of the Water Board to characterize the extent of soil vapor impacts (click here to see a map of the investigation area). Since 2021, Ford has prepared community-specific Feasibility Studies (FSs) or Feasibility Study/Remedial Action Plans (FS/RAPs) based on the findings of the Human Health Risk Assessments (see the History/Investigation tab for more information on these Assessments) as requested by the Water Board. The FSs and FS/RAPs evaluate different methods to address groundwater, soil gas, and indoor air impacts and recommend a remedy for each community that is best suited to address conditions in that area. Proposed remedies may include one or a combination of the following short- and long-term options:

  • Ongoing monitoring of groundwater and/or soil gas to determine if concentrations are naturally decreasing over time through a process called monitored natural attenuation.

  • Installing and operating a soil vapor extraction system (SVE system) to remove VOCs in soil gas.

  • Installing and operating sub-slab depressurization systems (SSD systems) at properties where indoor air remains impacted by VOCs due to vapor intrusion,

  • Treatment of impacted groundwater with organic compounds, such as sugars and vegetable oil, that accelerates the breakdown of contaminants.

  • Ongoing monitoring of indoor air to ensure the remedy is working as planned. The Water Board has approved the Final FS/RAPs for Bayridge Park, Belcourt Terrace, and One Ford Road and the Final FSs for Sea Island, Belcourt Hill, the southern portion of the Newport North Apartment Homes, and Corsica Villas. The Water Board is is currently reviewing the Draft FS for the northern portion of the Newport North Apartment Homes. More details on the specific FS or FS/RAPs for a community can be found in the Project Documents tab.

The Water Board has approved the Final FS/RAPs for Bayridge Park, Belcourt Terrace, and One Ford Road and the Final FSs for Sea Island, Belcourt Hill, the southern portion of the Newport North Apartment Homes, and Corsica Villas. The Water Board has also reviewed the Draft FS for the northern portion of the Newport North Apartment Homes and this document was available for public comment from March 10 to April 8, 2025. Please see the Project Documents tab for more details on the specific FS or FS/RAPs for a community.

Communities have been kept informed of the investigation and remediation efforts through this website, a series of fact sheets, open houses, and community email updates (see the Community Outreach tab for more information and the drop down menu below for copies of the community email updates).

Sub-Slab Depressurization (SSD) Systems

Ford’s environmental consultant, WSP, has installed and is operating 14 SSD systems at homes in Bayridge Park where vapor intrusion is occurring. The SSD systems create a pressure difference between the area under the building foundation and inside of the building. This prevents underground vapors from entering the building and impacting the quality of indoor air (a process known as vapor intrusion). SSD systems are a mitigation measure, meaning they lessen the effects of vapor intrusion, while the soil vapor extraction (SVE) systems are a remediation (cleanup) measure that permanently removes and treats contamination found in soil.

Ford is covering all costs associated with installation, operation, maintenance and monitoring of the SSD systems, including reimbursing homeowners for the electricity used. WSP is performing regular inspections, biannual sampling, and periodic equipment maintenance to ensure the SSD system is operating properly to maintain the pressure difference that keeps vapors out of the building. This work is coordinated with the property owner at a time that is convenient. The Water Board reviews Ford’s monitoring data and associated adjustments to ensure the SSD systems are operating properly and effectively.

Once an SSD system has been installed, it will remain operational until the Water Board determines there is no longer a risk of vapor intrusion. At that time, the equipment will be removed, and the home will be restored to its original condition. Ford will pay for these costs as well. 

If you live in Bayridge Park, your home has been identified through indoor air testing as experiencing vapor intrusion, and you have previously been offered an air purifier, you are eligible for an SSD system at no cost. For more information, please review the SSD Fact Sheet, SSD Work Notice, and/or contact the Ford Newport Beach project information line at 833-949-3673 or info@fordnbfacts.com.

Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE) Systems

In August 2024, Ford began operating soil vapor extraction systems (SVE systems) in the Bayridge Park and Belcourt Terrace communities. The SVE systems permanently remove VOCs from soil and provide long-term protection of public health and the environment. These systems operate like a household vaccum cleaner by extracting soil gas present below ground and drawing it above ground into a treatment building. The vapor is 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).

Operations: Preliminary performance evaluations demonstrate the SVE systems are effectively removing contamination from below the ground. Ford and WSP continue to regularly monitor and perform maintenance on the systems. Ford pays for all costs associated with these systems. 

Based on the performance data collected and with the Santa Ana Water Board’s concurrence, Ford and WSP have decided to pulse SVE system operations, or periodically turn on and off the systems, to maximize efficiency and potentially improve contaminant removal. Ford and WSP will continue to collect performance data to determine how long the SVE systems should continue to operate. The Water Board will review all performance data and approve any future recommendations for changes in operations.

Quarterly reports documenting how the SVE systems are working will be posted on Geotracker, the Water Board’s online database. Updates on how the SVE systems will continue to be operated will be announced at future Water Board communitywide meetings and via the Water Board community fact sheets.

Communications: Ford and WSP are committed to communicating about SVE operations and being available to answer questions or address and resolve concerns quickly. Should you have any questions, please Contact Us.

A view of an SSD system in Bayridge Park before the enclosure has been installed.

A completed SSD system hidden behind a fenced enclosure. 

A completed SVE system at Belcourt Terrace.

The interior of the Bayridge Park SVE system building, including piping and a sound blanket to muffle noise.

Long-Term Monitoring

Ford is continuing to monitor soil gas, groundwater, and indoor air to ensure that the SVE and SSD systems are operating effectively and that subsurface concentrations of VOCs are declining over time. Soil gas will continue to be monitored two to three times a year at 438 subsurface sampling locations. Groundwater will be monitored at least twice per year across the site and up to four times per year at newly installed monitoring wells. Indoor air sampling frequencies are dependent on the specific conditions in each community and range from every six months to five years. Residents are notified directly of their sampling frequencies, but should you have any questions, please Contact Us.