Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
August 2, 2007
4. Water Quality
PERCHLORATE:
Water funding OK'd; Panel approves money for perchlorate probe - Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
MERCURY CONTAMINATION:
State investigates for contamination in Lake Chabot; Mercury mine possibly contributing toxins - Vallejo Times Herald
WATER LEAKAGE:
Newmont told to find water leak;
WASTEWATER POND:
Windsor to add wastewater pond; Project will require removal of 1,200 oaks; council says many other trees on site will be saved - Santa Rosa Press Democrat
CLEAN WATER ACT:
EPA cites six SoCal dairies for Clean Water Act violations - Associated Press
WELL WATER:
Nitrates nag city; Live Oak reduces work on water - Marysville Appeal Democrat
PERCHLORATE:
Water funding OK'd; Panel approves money for perchlorate probe
By Jason Pesick, staff writer
Money to investigate perchlorate contamination around
A conference committee made up of members of the House of Representatives and Senate approved a number of water projects for the
"I think it's a good move," said Rialto Councilman Ed Scott, who is a member of the City Council's perchlorate committee.
Perchlorate, a chemical used in rocket fuels and other explosives, has seeped into
Local agencies have either shut down contaminated wells or are treating the water so that no contaminated water is served.
Perchlorate, if ingested, can affect the functioning of the thyroid and possibly mental development.
If both houses of Congress and the president sign off on the legislation, the Army Corps of Engineers would investigate the source of the perchlorate around
The extent of the contamination is not completely known, and it's not possible to clean it up without first understanding where it is coming from and where it is, Scott said.
The amount of money Baca secured for the project was not available.
"Whatever it is, it's a step in the right direction," Scott said.
The city asked its congressional representatives for almost $12.7 million for an investigation of the
The projects announced Tuesday as part of the Water Resources Development Act included other
Money for the Army Corps of Engineers to improve the Colton Drainage System to prevent flooding and remove storm flows along
Funding for
Money for
The amount of money for these projects was also not available.
On Friday, Baca's office announced the House Appropriations Committee's approval of $7.5million as part of the Defense Appropriations Bill. That money included $2.5 million for perchlorate treatment in the area.
http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_6522079
MERCURY CONTAMINATION:
State investigates for contamination in
By Matthias Gafni, staff writer
A shuttered mercury mine in the
California Fish and Game and San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board officials took fish samples and investigated the area Monday and Wednesday.
"We anticipate large mouth bass in
Officials took bass and carp samples Monday to test for mercury. As a predator high on the food chain, older bass are good indicators for mercury levels, Taberski said, while carp, as bottomfeeders, often show organic contaminants such as DDT. The results are expected in several months, she said.
On Wednesday, investigators revisited the lake and discussed mercury mine history with Solano Historical Society members.
Taberski said officials determined the
The
Scientists have determined that eating large amounts of mercury-laden fish can cause health problems. Signage lines many Bay Area waterways warning fishermen to monitor fish consumption, including
The
Doug Darling has long volunteered cleaning
The Greater Vallejo Recreation District hosts an annual catch-and-release Gone Fishing Derby at
Since the fish drops began, Darling said fishing has quadrupled at the lake. Even though the recent tests may bring bad news, he welcomes state officials.
"It's far more important that the public is aware of any mercury levels than keeping the Intercity Fishing Program," Darling said.
Of course, catch and release at the lake will remain unaffected either way, he said.
"It's important we're not inducing fear and alarm, because it has to do with fish consumption," Darling said. "Regardless of the outcome (of the mercury testing), recreational fishing is still a great use of the lake." #
http://www.timesheraldonline.com/todaysnews/ci_6525369
WATER LEAKAGE:
Newmont told to find water leak;
Grass Valley
By Greg Moberly, staff writer
Owners of an abandoned mine allegedly leaking large amounts of water into the
The latest order issued to Denver-based Newmont Mining Corp. is part of an ongoing dispute between the city and the mining company about tough-to-treat mine water. The city already has paid $1.5 million pursuing a lawsuit and negotiating with Newmont, as well as more than $1.5 million to treat the mine water.
The mine water contains iron and manganese, which are hard to treat, city public works officials said. The water has spilled into the city's sewage treatment plant since 2000. Nearly 500,000 gallons of water a day flow into the treatment plant from the abandoned mine, city officials said.
Newmont officials don't admit that the water comes from their abandoned mine, but they agreed to follow the state board's order, state water quality officials said.
"Newmont remains committed to working with the city and the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and we appreciate the opportunity to collect additional data needed from the site, Newmont said in a statement Wednesday. "We hope this new data - along with the information we've already collected - provide a sound technical basis for developing an appropriate management strategy for the discharged water."
The state's order, while important to
"It's a little disappointing," said Interim City Administrator Jeff Foltz. "I was hoping for a cease and desist order."
State water quality officials issued a draft cleanup and abatement order in May, but after receiving comments from the mining company, they decided it's better to focus on the source of the mine water "at this time," according to the board's order.
"It would be a lot cheaper if you could divert water from flowing into the mine," said Steve Rosenbaum, senior engineering geologist for the state Regional Water Quality Control Board.
"This is the first half of that cleanup and abatement order," Rosenbaum said. "It's better to find the problem and fix it," he said. The next steps would be determined after Newmont's findings are revealed, he added.
The mining company has until the end of May 2008 to finish its investigation and report back to the board, according to the order.
It's frustrating for the city because it ensures the issue won't be resolved soon, Foltz said.
"Another year of looking at the problem is frustrating," Foltz said.
The city's federal lawsuit with the mining company, set for trial in September, has been pushed back to March. #
http://www.theunion.com/article/20070802/NEWS/108020168
WASTEWATER POND:
Santa Rosa Press Democrat – 8/2/07
By Clark Mason, staff writer
After years of stalling,
The Town Council on Wednesday approved the first steps for constructing a 215-million-gallon, 26-acre pond that will require cutting down more than 1,200 trees.
The town, which has an oak tree for its logo, has until now postponed adding wastewater storage, in part because of the number of oaks and other trees that will be lost.
"All of us have been on hikes up there. In the valley where the pond would be, it's pretty studded with mostly big oaks," said Councilwoman Debora Fudge. "It's a hard pill to swallow to lose so many trees."
But council members are planning to lessen the loss by preserving in perpetuity many of the surrounding trees on the 168-acre property the town owns.
Consultants said that in all, there are more than 5,600 trees on the site.
Mayor Warin Parker said he is hoping a system of public trails can be developed near the pond, which would hold highly treated, near-drinkable wastewater for irrigation.
Since the early 1990s,
The town was looking at alternatives, such as shipping the wastewater through the city of
The town needs extra storage to accommodate growth and provide more flexibility for the weather-driven system.
"We're basically out of capacity," said Wilhelm Daida, assistant town engineer.
Public Works Director Richard Burtt said
"There's more and more of a demand because potable water is in such short supply," he said.
Annually, the town treats about 650 million gallons of recycled water and reuses more than half through urban and agricultural irrigation. The rest gets discharged into Mark West Creek, a tributary of the
The highly treated wastewater irrigates vineyards, pastures, the golf course, high school, parks and the Town Green.
But
The option approved Wednesday will be financed through a combination of grants, increased utility rates and new connection fees, subject to future council approval.
Town officials said the new storage pond may also be shared by
There is also the possibility the town could build a second storage pond in the future at the
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20070802/NEWS/708020398/1033/NEWS01
CLEAN WATER ACT:
EPA cites six SoCal dairies for Clean Water Act violations
Associated Press – 8/1/07
LOS ANGELES—Federal regulators cited six
The dairies were ordered to repair leaks in waste lagoons, build raised barriers around the lagoons, arrange to remove manure piles and make other changes to comply with the law, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency scientist Glenn Sakamoto said.
Regulators said runoff from the facilities could pollute the
The facilities could face fines of up to $32,500 per day per violation if they don't make needed fixes and as a result pollute streams, rivers or groundwater, Sakamoto said.
"We're hoping and trust that dairymen want to do what's best to protect the environment," Sakamoto said. "If the acts continue and it results in a discharge, we may look at the next step, which would be penalties."
Representatives for the dairies—identified as Legend Dairy #1, Legend Dairy #3, Sun Valley Jersey Dairy #1, Miersma Dairy #1, Tom Alger Dairy and Venegas Dairy—did not return messages or could not be reached for comment.
The orders were issued based on a March 2007 EPA inspection of the dairies, which are located in
Michael Marsh, who leads the trade group Western United Dairymen, said the organization would work with the dairies to bring them into compliance.
"Dairy producers have got to follow clean water and clean air laws," he said. "We take the business of keeping the environment clean very seriously."
In 2000 and 2001, the EPA fined numerous dairies in the
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_6521112
WELL WATER:
Nitrates nag city; Live Oak reduces work on water
Marysville Appeal Democrat – 8/2/07
By Robert LaHue, staff writer
Live Oak is scaling back its arsenic removal project after high nitrate levels were found in one of five city wells.
The additional treatment required to bring the well up to standards cannot be covered by $2 million in grants the city received to fix the arsenic problems, Public Works Director Michael Bohlander told the City Council on Wednesday night.
The council unanimously voted to negotiate with the low bidder for the five-well treatment project – Waterworks Construction Inc. – for a four-well job.
“Early indications are they’re OK with that,” Bohlander said of the contractor.
The project was spurred by the tightening of arsenic levels in drinking water by the Environmental Protection Agency in January 2006 from 50 parts per billion to 10 ppb, an amount a city consultant said equaled a drop of water in a pool.
Live Oak’s drinking water averages 20 to 30 ppb, a level not considered a major health problem. The city has until September 2008 to comply with the federal standards.
The city applied for funds on an arsenic treatment program through Proposition 40, approved by state voters in 2002. Of $9.5 million in arsenic reduction money available statewide, Live Oak received $2 million.
Bids for treating five wells with a filtration system from seven companies ranged from $3.52 million to $2.6 million. Estimates earlier this year had the project being fully funded by the $2 million grant.
“I about passed out reading those numbers,” Bohlander said.
Then came the nitrate discovery, which forced City Well 5 to be taken offline entirely.
While numbers are not official, Bohlander said taking the fifth well out of the project will bring the contract down to around $2.1 million.
Bohlander said even with the lower number, $2.5 million is the target cost for repairs. The grant is not in danger because of the project change.
The city applied Tuesday for a different grant to correct the problems with Well 5 through Proposition 84, the 2006 measure which approved $5.4 billion in bond funding for water supply, flood and other natural resource issues.
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to get that grant to get back to five wells again,” Bohlander said. #
http://www.appeal-democrat.com/news/city_51996___article.html/million_project.html
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