Coachella awarded $500K grant for program testing stannous chloride in city’s drinking water
Coachella was awarded a $500,000 grant for the development of a Stannous Chloride Pilot Program to test the efficacy of stannous chloride in the city’s drinking water.
City officials said the State Water Resources Control Board is expected to issue a new chromium-6 drinking water standard later this year. Chromium-6 is a naturally occurring chemical that when consumed is linked to cancer, according to the EPA.
This pilot study demonstrating the efficacy of stannous chloride is the city’s most cost-effective option in complying with the forthcoming chromium-6 standard.
Officials said it's expected that this program will provide additional information potentially needed by the State Water Board regarding alternate chromium-6 treatment technologies like stannous chloride. Prior testing revealed that stannous chloride, an approved drinking water additive used to protect water pipes from corrosion, could safely and cost-effectively lower levels of chromium-6 in its water system.
“We are grateful to have this critical support for our community. This latest half-a-million dollar state investment will support vital water quality improvements that are necessary to improve the quality of life for our residents,” shared City of Coachella Mayor Pro Tem Neftali Galarza.
The grant comes from the offices of Senator Steve Padilla and Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia.
“Smart investments in drinking water for historically underserved communities and in innovation should always be a priority for the state. I am proud we were able to get this done,” stated Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego).
The Environmental Working Group has an interactive map on its website that shows chromium-6 to be an issue not only in Coachella but also in other cities in the Coachella Valley.
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