Water advisory ends for western Barstow area
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Golden State Water Co. still testing rest of supply
November 21, 2010 4:47 PM
By AARON DOME, staff writer
Updated at 7:15 p.m. with information from City of Barstow water presentation
BARSTOW • A water advisory has ended for some areas of Barstow while the majority of area residents are still being advised not to consume tap water until further notice.
Golden State Water Co. spokesman John Dewey said Barstow, Lenwood, and Grandview residents west of H Avenue and south of the Mojave River may drink tap water after following a flushing procedure for their homes.
Barstow area residents east of H Avenue may be using bottled water for drinking and cooking through this week as Golden State Water Company continues to flush the water system and test for perchlorate contamination.
Levels of perchlorate 15 times the state maximum of six parts per billion were discovered in an active municipal well Friday. Perchlorate is used in rocket fuel and pyrotechnics.
Two other city wells not in service had levels of perchlorate slightly higher than state limits. Studies have shown perchlorate exposure may reduce thyroid gland function. The thyroid gland regulates body metabolism.
Dewey said Golden State Water is currently working with the Lahontan Regional Water Control Board to find the cause of the contamination.
In a best-case scenario tap water could be declared safe to drink by Tuesday evening, although it unlikely, said Mark Murphy, emergency operations manager for the city.
“What we’re looking at is two 72-hour events,” said Murphy. “If it’s one, I’ll be surprised.”
Murphy said that if the water tests after the first purge come out with perchlorate levels under the state maximum, the system will likely be flushed again and tested to be certain. If a second round of tests show acceptable levels, the water will deemed safe.
Water being flushed from the system is being sent to the city’s sewage treatment plant where it will go to percolation ponds and seep back into the ground. Murphy said that the treatment process will dilute the water sufficiently to bring perchlorate levels down.
“It’s the drop in the bucket theory,” said Murphy. “It’s my understanding that there are ways to remove perchlorate from water, but it’s very expensive.”
The city in cooperation with Golden State Water will continue to provide bottled water for the duration of the crisis. The Cora Harper Fitness Center on Barstow Road will now be the 24-hour water pickup site.
Barstow area restaurants had to quickly adapt to using bottled water for cooking and drinking or close their doors. County health officials — who say most restaurants remain open — have been traveling to area restaurants and advising them of what they must do to protect their customers.
Casa Jimenez, a Mexican restaurant in Barstow Road, closed Friday afternoon and re-opened on Sunday morning, said server Adriana Jimenez. Like all restaurants that remain open,
Casa Jimenez is serving customers bottled water and using bottled water for cooking. Jimenez said she was in the Los Angeles area on Friday afternoon and bought bottled water for the restaurant there.
“We had to throw away all of the food we had prepared on Friday,” said Jimenez. “I’m not sure how much money we lost, we’re normally really busy on Saturday night. It’s normally a lot busier now, too.”
Nick Markou, owner of Mega Tom’s Burgers on Main Street, said he closed his restaurant for a few hours on Friday afternoon after he learned of water contamination. He estimated his Sunday morning business was down 50 percent. Markou said he was disappointed the city didn’t call businesses directly to tell them about the contamination.
“I didn’t find out until four or five in the afternoon,” said Markou. “I went to Victorville to buy water.”
Markou said he spent $600 on bottled water so far.
Barstow resident Marie Massey said she used to live in Hinkley and is frustrated that she has to deal with contaminated water again after Hinkley’s chromium 6 water contamination problems. Massey thought the city should have warned area grocery stores of the problem but is pleased overall with the city’s reaction.
“I’m glad they didn’t wait 30 years before they told us,” said Massey.
Massey said she thought the current treatment plan sounds good and hopes the source of the contamination is found soon.
Ceri Satur, also from Barstow, said she was only mildly inconvenienced by the contamination.
“I went out and got some free water,” said Satur. “It was a little scary the first few hours. I just want to know how long it’s been going on and if it will have an effect on people’s health.”
Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4126 or adome@desertdispatch.com
Flushing procedure
Barstow area residents west of H Avenue may drink tap water after performing the following procedure:
1. Flush all hot and cold water taps for five minutes
2. Flush all hot water into bathtub or shower until it turns cold
3. Remove all ice from any ice makers
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