[CPEO-MEF] Perchlorate spreads, more wells close

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Perchlorate spreads, more wells close
RIALTO: Two are shut down and Inland water officials lobby for help in
Washington.
10/10/2002
By DAVID DANELSKI and CLAIRE VITUCCI
THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE

A chemical that makes rockets fly is continuing to play havoc with
Inland drinking water supplies, this week forcing Rialto to shut down
two wells because of the expanding plume of contamination.

"We're losing 10,525 gallons per minute," said Peter Fox, Rialto's water
superintendent. "That's quite a bit. . . . It's always disappointing to
take something out of service due to a contaminate."

The expanding perchlorate plume in the Rialto, Colton and Fontana areas
has so far forced Rialto to close five of the city's 11 drinking-water
wells. The chemical used to make munitions, propellants and fireworks
has so far contaminated at least 20 wells in the area, state water
officials said.

The pollution is believed to have come from weapons and fireworks that
were made or stored in the area starting during World War II. If
ingested, perchlorate can damage thyroid function.

This article can be viewed at:
http://www.pe.com/breakingnews/local/PE_NEWS_nbperc10.a1fb4.html

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