City says no danger to Los Al Water

October 23, 2019

Los-Alamitos — Los Al council votes 3-2 to approve housing element resolution. Courtesy photo

In the wake of a story by the Los Angeles Times that cited studies suggesting water under the Joint Forces Training Base may be contaminated, the city of Los Alamitos issued clarifications from its water supplier that indicated there is no danger to the public.

The Los Angeles Times recently published articles citing studies that indicate many current and former military outposts around the state beside JFTB may have contamination due to toxic foams used in firefighting.

“These Army posts may have contaminated drinking water,” said the report, adding that Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) contamination was present in the drinking water of 90 different Army installations including the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos.

The article also stated that “the chemicals are suspected of moving into the community water supply.”

In response to these articles, the City of Los Alamitos has been provided information from Col. Nick Ducich, Joint Forces Training Base Installation Commander and Ken Vecchiarelli, General Manager of the Orange County District of Golden State Water Company (Golden State Water), the city said in a statement.

“Both have identified and concluded that domestic water service to the Joint Forces Training Base is provided by Golden State Water, whose representative’s report that their water meets or exceeds all state and federal regulatory requirements,” according to the statement.

They claim Golden State Water and their staff of professionals are fully aware of the emerging PFAS contamination concerns and are closely monitoring the development of PFAS regulatory requirements.

In addition, the city said Golden State Water has prepared some useful information that is now available on their website and can be viewed through the link provided below. Golden State Water also shared that they continue to work closely with the local groundwater basin management agency, Orange County Water District in their efforts to monitor and track these compounds. OCWD has also prepared information on this matter (ref. their website linked below).