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Residents, health advocates press panel for numeric nitrate limits after years of contaminated wells
Summary
Residents from Salinas, San Gerardo and Central Valley communities told the State Water Resources Control Board’s expert panel on Aug. 8 that nitrate contamination has harmed health, increased household costs and left families relying on bottled or interim water supplies; NGOs urged enforceable numeric limits and faster regulatory action.
Community leaders and environmental groups urged the expert panel on Aug. 8 to recommend enforceable numeric limits on nitrate discharges and applications, saying repeated delays have left thousands drinking or paying for contaminated water.
Several residents described decades of exposure to nitrate‑impacted water. “We have been losing our families to cancer,” said Rosa Carrillo Orozco, general manager of the San Gerardo Cooperative, who recounted multiple replacement wells drilled as prior sources became contaminated. “We are here asking to put a limit. It's now. We can't afford to wait another 10 years.”
Kaya Rivers of Community Water Center summarized regional impacts: she said the Central Coast needs assessment lists 3,005 domestic wells and multiple public systems exceeding the nitrate…
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