Study Finds Valley Groundwater Contaminated With Nitrates

Posted: Mar 16, 2011 9:59 PM

By: Rich Rodriguez

A just–released water investigation finds that unincorporated valley communities have well water that can make you sick.  East Orosi is an unincorporated community with low income residents.   Locals say there are 75 to 100 homes in the neighborhood. 

The water in East Orosi is contaminated with nitrates. Bertha Diaz has been dealing with the problem since 2002. "We don't use it for cooking. We always buy bottled water from the store."

Oakland based Pacific Institute has been studying water in the valley.   In Tulare County it discovered ten tiny communities have contaminated water.   From north to south fertilizers, pesticides and sewage have tainted the wells.

Maria Herrera is with the Community Water Center in Visalia.  "By far nitrate is the most common contaminant in the area and it's also the number one reason for well closure in the state."

Community Water center is an environmental justice non–profit that has worked with the Pacific Institute on the study.  Herrera offered this eye–opener about nitrates.  "They don't have a taste odor to them so most of the time when you have these two bottles people will avoid the brown water but in reality it's actually safer to drink than the clear water.   This is the water that a lot of our residents are getting out of their tap."

Elijio Adame of East Orosi buys ten gallons of bottled water a week.   But there's no replacement water for showering.  "Sometimes when you bathe after awhile you feel like your body itches."

East Orosi is one of ten communities in Tulare County with unsafe drinking water due to nitrates.   Due to California's financial challenges the study determined that money for cleanup projects won't be coming anytime soon