[CPEO-MEF] Spike in Rialto (CA) perchlorate

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

For Immediate Release:
August 2, 2006


New Pulse of Rocket Fuel Pollution Threatens Local Drinking Water Wells

New pollution tests show a new pulse of toxic perchlorate pollution 
threatens to spread to Rialto drinking water wells without action to 
halt the spread of contamination.

"Polluters responsible for the contamination Rialto's drinking water 
supplies should immediately step up to the plate and clean up the mess 
they've made," stated Sujatha Jahagirdar, Clean Water Advocate for 
Environment California Research & Policy Center and author of a white 
paper that analyzed recent pollution testing results.

Perchlorate pollution leaked by the defense industry and other users 
pollutes drinking water supplies for millions across the country. 
Rialto is at the epicenter of this contamination crisis, with some of 
the highest levels of contamination in the country.

According to state and federal officials, a rocket fuel manufacturing 
and processing facility operated by Goodrich Corporation in the late 
1950’s and early 1960’s is a major source of this contamination. 
Depositions given by former employees, recount the disposal of thousands 
of pounds of waste rocket fuel from the manufacturing process in a large 
unlined pit behind the Goodrich facility.

Levels of perchlorate pollution in well PW-2, located close to the 
historic 'burn pit' used by Goodrich spiked sharply in 2006 – from an 
April 2005 concentration of 53 ppb (parts per billion) to an April 2006 
concentration of 10,000 ppb.

Despite the discovery of contamination in Rialto nearly ten years ago, 
Goodrich Corporation has not instituted a clean up plan.  While this 
delay continues, the contamination continues to spread.  At low 
concentrations in drinking water perchlorate can lead to health effects 
such as Attention Deficit Disorder, learning disabilities and decreased 
IQ in children.

Prompted by the recent discovery of spiking contamination levels and 
continued discharger recalcitrance, the City of Rialto last night passed 
a strongly-worded resolution that calls for immediate action by Goodrich 
Corporation and other parties responsible for contaminating the city's 
aquifer to clean up their contamination.

"The spread of contamination and last night's call from the Rialto City 
Council send a clear message to Goodrich Corporation and other 
perchlorate polluters across the country," stated Davin Diaz, Campaign 
Director of the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice. 
"Goodrich Corporation must step forward to restore this aquifer to health."


###

For the original press release, go to
http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/newsroom/clean-water-news/clean-water-news/new-pulse-of-rocket-fuel-pollution-threatens-local-drinking-water-wells

--


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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