[CPEO-MEF] PERCHLORATE: High levels found in Inland Empire (CA) aquifers

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

News Release
U.S. Geological Survey
July 16, 2012

High Concentrations of Nitrate and Perchlorate in Some Inland Empire  
Groundwater

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Nitrate was detected at high concentrations in  
one quarter of the aquifer system used for Inland Empire public water  
supply. Additionally, high concentrations of perchlorate were found  
in 11 percent of the aquifer system, and in moderate concentrations  
in 53 percent. This aquifer system includes the Upper Santa Ana  
Valley, San Jacinto, and Elsinore groundwater basins, although, high  
nitrate and perchlorate concentrations were not found in the Elsinore  
groundwater basin.

As part of a statewide study assessing groundwater quality, U.S.  
Geological Survey scientists analyzed untreated groundwater from  
wells, not treated tap water, looking for over 300 possible  
constituents.  Groundwater is typically treated by water purveyors  
prior to delivering it to customers to ensure compliance with water  
quality standards.

"Over a ten-year period, the USGS is characterizing groundwater  
quality in 120 basins that supply about 95 percent of public  
groundwater supplies," explained USGS director Marcia McNutt. "The  
new results for the Upper Santa Ana Watershed show where, what, and  
how much contamination is in the groundwater, focusing attention on  
improving water quality where it is needed."

...

For the entire release and a link to the full report, see
http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=3281


--

Lenny Siegel
Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
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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