D'Vor residents urge San Bernardino USD to address alleged nitrate contamination near Kimbark Elementary

Residents from the D'Vor community told the San Bernardino City Unified School District board on Sept. 11 that aging septic tanks at Kimbark Elementary are contaminating neighborhood wells and posing health risks.

"The septic tanks at Kimbark Elementary School are bleeding raw sewage into our drinking water and they need to be replaced," resident Karen Slobomb told the board during public comment, adding that she and other neighbors provided the district with printed data and a proposed fix involving advanced treatment systems (ATS). Slobomb cited Assembly Bill 885 as a possible source of grants and low‑interest loans to replace septic systems.

Another resident, Cindy Maruzi, said local well tests showed elevated nitrates and gave a recent reading of 12 mg/L on Aug. 28 — above the 10 mg/L level generally used as a standard of concern for infant health — and asked whether the district, which receives water bills at the school address, and parents at the school had been notified. "Are you aware of the nitrates? Did the school district or the school get a letter?" she asked.

A water professional who spoke as Mike Thompson provided historical data and a theory that changes at the school (including installed low‑flow devices) altered wastewater concentrations. He said nitrate levels rose from historic averages near 4.5 mg/L in the early 1990s to an average around 7.3 mg/L in recent periods and alleged a conflict of interest between D'Vor Water, certain board members and a district employee who also works for the water company.

District staff did not provide a technical response during the public‑comment period, saying they could not answer questions from the dais at that time. Board members asked for follow‑up during the presentations and later in the meeting members asked staff for additional data. No formal action, study authorization, or timeline for investigation was recorded in the meeting minutes or as a motion in the transcript.

Why this matters: high nitrate levels in drinking water can pose health risks for infants and vulnerable populations. Residents requested that the district evaluate replacing outdated septic systems with ATS technology and pursue available funding programs. They also requested clearer notification and more frequent testing of the school supply given its proximity to neighborhood wells.

What the board asked for next: during the meeting's presentations and Q&A, board members asked district staff to supply more detailed data about testing, to clarify notification responsibilities, and to provide the written materials the residents referenced. The transcript shows the board accepted public comments and moved on to the agenda; it did not record a staff report or immediate remedial motion tied to the comments.

The board's next steps: the transcript indicates multiple follow‑up requests from board members across agenda items (see board request list under meeting follow‑ups). Residents say they provided packets with data; the district committed to returning with requested information. No timeline was provided in the public record of the meeting.