[Water_news] 4. DWR'S CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS: WATER QUALITY -12/31/07

Department of Water Resources

California Water News

A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment

 

December 31, 2007

 

4. Water Quality

 

Most memorable stories of the year; Rialto City Council versus perchlorate

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin – 12/30/07

By Jason Pesick, staff writer

 

RIALTO - Since a dangerous chemical was discovered in its drinking water in 1997, the city has not shied away from a fight to get the water cleaned up.

 

The chemical in question is perchlorate, which is used to produce explosives.

 

Rialto has gone after dozens of parties in federal court, including the U.S. Department of Defense, San Bernardino County, Black & Decker and Goodrich.

 

The city was even feuding with some of the other local water agencies, like West Valley Water District and the private Fontana Water Co.

 

Now Rialto is even having problems with the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board, the state agency that hasn't had much luck trying to hold some of the companies responsible for the contamination.

 

The city is upset that the board's staff is keeping Rialto out of the loop on settlement talks with some of the companies.

 

At the end of the year, the City Council asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to declare part of the city a Superfund site.

 

Wayne Praskins, a Superfund project manager, said it's unusual to see a city take the lead in a water contamination mess like this one.

 

Rialto's cost in this perchlorate battle: about $20 million, which includes $3 million for water treatment. #
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