[CPEO-MEF] Perchlorate could pinch cities' water

[CPEO Moderator <cpeo@cpeo.org>]

California
THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
Perchlorate could pinch cities' water
By DOUGLAS E. BEEMAN and DAVID DANELSKI
06/10/2003

California environmental officials are pressing the Department of
Defense to help clean up perchlorate contamination at military
installations, noting that hundreds of wells already have been tainted
by the pollutant.

The June 6 letter from the heads of three state environmental agencies
also adds pressure on the Defense Department to make public its survey
of perchlorate contamination at military bases. A handful of federal
lawmakers also has been trying to obtain the survey.

Defense Department officials did not respond to two phone calls and an
e-mail Monday seeking comment on the state's requests.

Perchlorate, a component of rocket fuel, has contaminated more than 300
wells in California, including drinking water supplies serving Redlands,
Rialto and Riverside. Perchlorate also has tainted the Colorado River,
which 20 million people rely on for drinking and irrigation water in
California, Arizona and Nevada.

This article can be viewed at:
http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_NEWS_naperc10.a0fb8.html

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