[CPEO-MEF] Inland Empire perchlorate funding

[lsiegel@cpeo.org]

Press Release
Offices of Senators Feinstein and Boxer 
September 30, 2005

Senators Feinstein and Boxer Secure $13 Million for Perchlorate
Remediation in the Inland Empire

Washington, DC ? U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer (both
D-Calif.) today announced that they have secured $13 million for
perchlorate clean up and remediation in the Inland Empire, as part of
the FY2006 Defense Department spending bill.

"This harmful chemical has permeated the nation's water supply and
contaminated water sources in 35 states," Senator Feinstein said. "This
funding is just a drop in the bucket. Much more is needed to address the
widespread contamination. Nevertheless, it will help the Inland Empire
begin to clean up tainted groundwater and drinking water sources. I will
continue to work with Senator Boxer to hold the Defense Department
accountable for the contamination it caused and to fund cleanup efforts."

"Perchlorate contamination poses a health risk to California's most
vulnerable populations, especially infants," Senator Boxer said.
"Hundreds of water supplies in California are currently contaminated
with perchlorate. I look forward to working with Senator Feinstein until
the problem is remediated."

Equally divided between the cities of Rialto and Colton, and the West
Valley Water District and Fontana Water Company, the funds will be used
to demonstrate enhancements to existing, best-available technologies as
well as new and cost-effective technologies to remediate the
perchlorate-contaminated public drinking water supplies in the Rialto,
Fontana, and Colton areas.

The cities and water utilities were forced to close 22 wells after they
discovered perchlorate that exceeds state and federal health goals and
Action Levels for public drinking water supplies in the groundwater in
the Rialto and Chino groundwater basins. The water suppliers must locate
replacement water, which is both expensive and challenging in light of
water shortages. The problem also threatens additional wells and could
inhibit future development in the area due to an uncertain future supply
of water.

Perchlorate is a chemical used in rocket fuel and munitions. It is a
highly soluble salt that can readily permeate through soils. Perchlorate
was widely used by the Defense Department and its contractors in the
1950s and 1960s. Pregnant women and children may be especially at risk
of adverse health affects from perchlorate exposure.       

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-- 


Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org
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