Will Southern California's Water Supply Become Tainted?

A toxic plume of groundwater is on the verge of contaminating the Colorado River and tainting the water supply for 18 million people.

1 minute read

March 8, 2004, 9:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"The chemical compound [hexavalent chromium ], made infamous by the 2000 movie 'Erin Brockovich,' is 'on the brink of contaminating the Colorado River,' the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California... The plume of at least 108 million gallons of chromium 6-tainted water is now threatening the river and causing alarm among experts at the Metropolitan Water District, which operates the Colorado River Aqueduct, a major source of Los Angeles' drinking water. 'The plume has moved past the last sentry well. It's thought to be 125 feet from the river.' "

Thanks to Chris Steins

Saturday, March 6, 2004 in The Los Angeles Times

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