Former Watsonville - 1 manufactured gas plant

PG&E has completed the voluntary cleanup of a former manufactured gas plant (MGP) at 618 Main Street in downtown Watsonville. The six-month remediation work involved the removal of impacted shallow soil followed by full site restoration and landscaping to allow the continued operation of an on-site business. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has certified that the appropriate remedial actions have been completed.

The former Watsonville-1 manufactured gas plant operated from 1871 to 1905. From 1905 to 1931, the site was used for a variety of commercial purposes including an auto dealership and repair shop. In 1931, the Coast Counties Gas and Electric Company (CCGE) opened a customer service center at the site. PG&E acquired CCGE in 1954 and continued to use the site as a customer service center until 1989 when it was leased for commercial purposes.


Site landscaping and concrete driveway post-remediation improved public right-of-ways after remediation


PG&E sold the property in 2001 and today the site contains a restaurant and a parking lot.

Additional Resources

Download work notices and fact sheets.

Site-related documents can also be found at:
Watsonville Public Library

275 Main Street, Suite 100

Watsonville, CA

831-768-3400

Contact information

Contact information

Environmental Remediation
Information and Response Line
1-866-247-0581
By email: remediation@pge.com

Important health & safety information

Important health and safety information

There is no indication that PG&E's former MGP sites pose any health concerns to the public, based on our testing, experience, and extensive review of medical literature.