Gridley well runs afoul of federal arsenic standards

Gridley is the latest local agency to have a water system that failed to meet new, tougher federal standards for arsenic levels in drinking water.

But compared to nearby communities in Sutter County, Gridley’s problems are fairly mild.

In 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency’s standard for arsenic levels went from a maximum of 50 parts per billion to 10 ppb.

On Aug. 3, the city was informed one of its six wells, the Fairview well, will test at an average of at least 10.7 ppb during quarterly monitoring.

“We’re just far enough into it where we’re required to do the notices to take some action,” City Administrator Jack Slota said.

The city mailed notices to local residents telling them about the well’s arsenic levels and also saying the situation is not an emergency and there is no need to use an alternative water supply, such as bottled water.

The Fairview Well is rarely used by the city, and Slota said the city will put the well on reserve status.

“Usually only one or two wells run” he said.

A couple more of the city’s wells could fail arsenic tests as results come in, Slota said.

Gridley’s problems are not unique to the Mid-Valley following the tightened standard.

Live Oak is undertaking a $2 million, grant-funded project to install a filtration system on four of its five wells. The drinking water there averages 20 to 30 ppb, with one well testing between 50 to 70 ppb. The fifth well was removed from the project because of excessive nitrate levels.

In the Walton area of Yuba City, city officials say fixing arsenic levels that average 14.6 ppb, along with excessive nitrates in one well, could cost residents anywhere from $410 to $715 per year over 20 years.

Other local water systems that have failed arsenic tests include Robbins, Barry Elementary School and Meridian Elementary School.

Slota wondered, with the tougher standards, what it means for people who have their own personal wells.

“We drill some pretty deep wells,” he said. “Domestic wells are shallower.”

He also had some concern about what the city could face if the state imposes even tougher standards than the federal government.

“If the state lowers the standard to five (ppb), we’re going to have to be taking some other action,” Slota said.

Appeal-Democrat reporter Robert LaHue can be reached at 749-4713. You may e-mail him at rlahue@appealdemocrat.com.