Report: Many Residents Rely on Contaminated Drinking Water Sources

More than half of California residents rely on drinking water sources that are contaminated, according to a new report from the State Water Resources Control Board, the AP/KPBS News reports.

Main Findings

The report found that between 2002 and 2010, 680 out of about 3,000 community water systems in California relied on at least one contaminated groundwater well. According to findings, contaminated wells served 21 million people during that time.

The report found that arsenic was the most-detected naturally occurring contaminant, while nitrate was the most-detected contaminant caused by humans.

Some Communities Do Not Treat Water

According to the report, although most California communities blend or treat their water, some communities cannot afford water treatment or other alternatives.

It found that 265 community water systems delivered water from wells that exceeded standards for nitrate, arsenic and other contaminants. Most of these systems are located in rural counties -- such as Kern, Madera and Tulare -- and served water to about two million state residents, according to the report.

The California Department of Public Health says that more than 98% of Californians with a public water supply receive safe drinking water (AP/KPBS News, 2/7).

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