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Resident raises prolonged concerns about hexavalent chromium contamination near Los Banos airport wells
Summary
A public commenter urged the city to address long‑standing concerns about hexavalent chromium (chromium‑6) in groundwater, particularly near wells by the airport, and questioned whether development pressures and industrial activity have suppressed attention to contamination.
At the Sept. 17 public‑comment period, Carlos Flores, identifying himself as a District 1 resident, urged the City Council to take the hexavalent chromium (chromium‑6) in local groundwater seriously and asked what the city will do about contamination near wells by the airport.
Flores said he had previously raised chromium concerns and argued that historical industrialization and farming may have contributed to conversion of naturally occurring chromium‑III to the more toxic chromium‑VI in local aquifers. He said two wells near the airport are “the most contaminated” and asked whether housing development or land reuse is planned for that property. Flores expressed skepticism that development interests could influence how contamination is discussed and pledged to continue researching the issue.
City staff and the interim city manager responded in the meeting with references to the city’s online “Important Water Issues” page and state‑mandated water quality reporting. Interim City Manager Gary Breese noted that the city posts materials (English and Spanish) on chromium‑6 and related water‑quality reports on the city website and invited residents to contact the city manager’s office for further discussion.
Why it matters: Chromium‑6 is a health concern where concentrations exceed regulatory thresholds. Public questions about well contamination and land reuse near the airport could prompt additional testing, disclosure and dialogue between the city, water agencies and state regulators.
Ending: The city offered resources (website materials and an email contact to the interim city manager) for residents to pursue additional information; no council action was taken at the Sept. 17 meeting beyond offering informational resources.
