Farm Worker Communities Drinking Contaminated Water in Riverside
Dateline:
02/26/2010Source:
New America Media/La Opinion Opinion.
The arsenic problem has been confirmed in 23 motor home settlements, occupied primarily by Hispanic laborers, where at least 10,000 to 15,000 residents have been consuming the tainted water. The water tanks are connected to underground wells, that have been found to obtain elevated levels of arsenic, aluminum, iron and other metals.
Riverside health officials say that connecting these communities to the county water supply would cost at least $20 million and take several years, although to close the settlements would leave hundreds of families abandoned, something the local government does not want to do. The Los Duros settlement, comprised of more than 400 families, many of whom are of indigenous origin, have experienced an
outbreak of skin problems and dental issues as a result of consuming the water, which leaves the tanks reeking of sulfur. Most at risk are children and babies, whose low body weight makes them more susceptible to the toxins in the water.
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