Nearly three billion gallons (or the equivalent of 454 Olympic sized swimming pools) of oil industry wastewater were illegally dumped into central California’s aquifer, supplying drinking water and irrigation to farmers.
Documents obtained by The Center for Biological Diversity also revealed that Central Valley Water Board tests found high levels of arsenic, thallium and nitrates in water supply wells near nine of the hydraulic fracking wastewater disposal operations. Sullying fresh water contravenes both California’s state law and the federal Safe Water Drinking Act, which protects aquifers.
Fresh water is trading at an all-time high in California. Earlier this year, farmers outbid the city of Santa Barbara paying $7 million to secure water for growing almonds.
California has an estimated 2,853 wastewater injection sites, of which 1,552 are currently active, including offshore wells near Santa Barbara.
Thallium is extremely toxic; it’s used in rat poison. Arsenic is known to cause cancer.
California has the largest agricultural industry in the state of the union, at $44.7 billion annually. California supplies at least 50 percent of the nation’s vegetable, fruits and nuts.
California’s Central Valley is the almond growing capital of the world. In February of each year about 80 percent of all US commercial bees (or 1.8 million beehives) work tirelessly for about a month to pollinate a crop worth in excess of $3 billion.
In the midst of a deep drought and with all computer models forecasting a drier future, it’s time to protect ground water, not pollute it.
Write Governor Jerry Brown and ask him to protect California’s groundwater from pollution: Governor Jerry Brown, c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173, Sacramento, CA 95814.
Please support The Center for Biological Diversity.
Join Earth Dr Reese Halter in his crusade to protect our planet by watching Earth Calling SOS.