Joe Baca: “I rise in support of H.R. 4606, the Southern California Groundwater Remediation Act. The Southern California Groundwater…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 4606, the Southern California Groundwater Remediation Act. The Southern California Groundwater Remediation Act is a long-term solution to helping cities in Southern California remove perchlorate from their drinking water. Perchlorate groundwater contamination has become a crisis in Southern California. This includes my hometown of Rialto in California. Perchlorate is a main ingredient in rocket fuel. It has been found in drinking water supplies in 40 States, including California. It has been linked to thyroid damage and may be especially harmful to infants and developing fetuses and the 1.2 million women of childbearing age in San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange counties. It is also harmful to those with weak immune systems, such as seniors and AIDS patients. There is a legal and moral obligation to provide safe and healthy water. Today, these obligations are in jeopardy. The hard-working families in these areas are not at fault and should not have to pay for these problems. We must protect the consumer.”