Funding From Defense and Interior Appropriations Bills Will Clean Contaminated Wells in Inland Empire

Washington, DC – This Saturday, the U.S. Senate approved the Fiscal Year 2010 Department of Defense appropriations bill, legislation that includes $1.6 million secured by Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto), for the purpose of treating perchlorate contaminated wells in the Inland Empire.  The bill originally passed the House of Representatives in July, with a revised version identical to the Senate’s passing last week, on December 16.  This funding compliments $300,000 secured by Rep. Baca in the FY 2010 Department of Interior Appropriations bill to total $1.9 million in federal funding that will be used to clean up wells operated by the cities of Rialto, Colton, the West Valley Water District, and the Fontana Water Company.

“Clean, safe drinking water is a right all American families deserve,” said Rep. Baca.  “Eliminating perchlorate from our Inland area water supply continues to be a top priority of mine in Congress.  The funding request included in the legislation passed by the House and Senate will help improve the safety of our drinking water, and is vital to public health in our Inland communities.”

The funding secured by Rep. Baca will be used by area water purveyors, working in conjunction with Department of Defense and Interior program managers, to demonstrate technologies for wellhead treatment, perchlorate source identification, and contamination containment. 

Perchlorate, a rocket fuel additive, has been found to be present at trace levels in some Inland communities.  Perchlorate is a volatile organic compound that has been found to be harmful to humans as it interferes with thyroid function.  

“Perchlorate has contaminated sources in my Congressional District and other areas, making the water unsafe if it is not treated,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “I am proud to bring these federal dollars home to strengthen the long term water quality and stability of the Inland Empire.  We must take all steps necessary to ensure our communities, neighborhoods, and families are free from the harmful effects of perchlorate.” 

This Congress, Rep. Baca has also introduced the Inland Empire Perchlorate Ground Water Plume Assessment Act of 2009, H.R. 4252, legislation that calls for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a study on the perchlorate contamination found in the Rialto-Colton water basin.  This September, a hearing was held in the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power to discuss the legislation – which is expected to proceed to a Committee mark-up soon.