Drought Increases Contamination Risk

by | Feb 20, 2014

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Calif droughtCalifornia’s drought has put 10 communities at risk of running out of drinking water in 60 days, and worsened numerous other health and safety problems, public health officials said.

Reuters reports communities where residents rely on wells are at particular risk, as contaminants in the groundwater become more concentrated with less water available to dilute them, top state health officials said at a legislative hearing on the drought.

The California Farm Bureau estimates the overall impact of idled farmland will run to roughly $5 billion, from in direct costs of lost production and indirect effects.

Last month, Democratic Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency, as reservoir levels dipped to all-time lows with little rain or snow in the forecast.

The state’s top public health officials said they were targeting 10 communities for immediate relief, trucking in water when necessary and helping to lay pipes connecting residents with nearby public water systems.

Photo: Woodleywonderworks Flickr photostream

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