San Jose Recycled Water Tests Positive For Carcinogen
SAN JOSE (KCBS) – A new study indicates trace amounts of NDMA, a potentially dangerous chemical that is believed to cause cancer, in San Jose groundwater.
Santa Clara Valley Water District officials say NDMA was found at levels of three to four parts per trillion down to 30 feet in the groundwater at the test site on Silver Creek Valley Road. The state has a public-health goal of three parts per trillion for NDMA.
KCBS' Chris Filippi Reports:
The chemical appears to have spread from recycled irrigation water to shallow groundwater. The US Environmental Protection Agency calls the chemical a suspected human carcinogen.
"The study did not address the deeper aquifers at all, so it only looked at the upper aquifers, and no one is drinking that water," said Joan Maher, who manages the water supply division for the Santa Clara Valley District.
"I think it indicates a need to look at the treatment processes and look at how we're going to expand recycled water," said Maher.
The study comes as the district and city of San Jose are building a $50 million dollar water treatment plant.
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