Date: Jan. 16, 2003

Statement by Santa Clara Valley Water District
Chief Operating Officer Walt Wadlow at the Jan. 16
News Conference

Good afternoon. Based on samples taken from wells under the direction of the water district and the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, we now believe that as many as 450 private water wells in South Santa Clara County could potentially have low levels of the chemical perchlorate.

As the local public agency responsible for ensuring a safe supply of drinking water to county residents, the Santa Clara Valley Water District – along with the County of Santa Clara, the City of Morgan Hill, and the Regional Water Quality Control Board – is assisting in the investigation so that we can identify the extent of the perchlorate in the area and resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

Perchlorate is both a naturally occurring and man-made salt, primarily used as an oxidizer for rocket and missile fuel, as well as for producing highway safety flares, fireworks, matches, dyes and other products. Perchlorate can create health problems and the County Health Officer, Dr. Martin Fenstersheib will address this.

In this case, perchlorate has been found at a former safety flare manufacturing plant that operated from 1955 until 1996 near the intersection of Tennant and Railroad avenues in Morgan Hill. We believe that perchlorate may have migrated as far as 4 miles southeast of the site, roughly west to Monterey Highway and east to Center Avenue, and as far south as Masten Avenue.

Although the investigation is being directed by state water officials, the Santa Clara Valley Water District, the County of Santa Clara and the City of Morgan Hill are taking a lead role in providing assistance to the people who may be affected.
We understand that people in the area may have immediate concerns about their drinking water, so the water district is prepared to offer free testing of private wells owned or used by people in the affected area. To schedule an appointment for sampling, residents can call (408) 265-2607, ext. 2649. Results are generally available in about three weeks.

Today's news conference is the first step in a comprehensive outreach effort which will include a direct mailing to all affected well owners, community meetings, updated information on the district's web site, and a staffed hotline to field calls.

NOTE: The Perchlorate Hotline number is now (408) 265-2607,
ext. 2763 (posted Jan. 31, 2003)