Contaminants From Camp Fire Washing Downstream; Mercury, Antimony, Iron, Lead, Cadmium, More

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The root of the problem stems from the stuff that burned during the Camp Fire—things like cars and televisions and gas stations—that aren’t meant to be burned. Add to that a few heavy rains and a natural downslope, and the debris made its way into the water. “The latest samples were taken … following a full five-day storm event,” Snyder said. Specifically, they were taken March 27. “So we had saturated soil conditions, which facilitated overland flow—it was hitting that burn material and running off into surface waters.”

What’s in those surface waters now is cause for concern: elevated levels of aluminum, antimony, arsenic, cadmium, iron, lead, manganese, mercury and selenium. Clear Creek in Paradise is bearing the brunt of it—for instance, the recommended maximum contaminant level (MCL) of aluminum in drinking water is 1,000 parts per billion and Clear Creek’s level is 2,070 ppb; the MCL for iron is 300 ppb; Clear Creek’s level is 1,440 ppb.

The water board, cooperating with the state Department of Water Resources and the California Department of Transportation, took samples in nine spots along creeks that it regularly monitors: In addition to Clear Creek, those include Butte Creek (two spots), Little Butte Creek, Hamlin Creek, Dry Creek (two spots) and Little Dry Creek. All but Butte and Little Butte showed higher than recommended levels of most of the aforementioned metals.

When tested for a host of chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, all of the creeks showed higher than recommended levels of eight different compounds that could cause adverse health effects. “Back in the day, folks placed really shallow wells in … the gravel next to the creeks,” Snyder said. “The concentrations [of contaminants] we’re seeing in the surface waters has the potential to migrate into those wells.” In response to the tests, the water board issued a press release April 24 saying, “Homeowners with shallow wells along Butte Creek and Little Butte Creek should review their well construction details and consider testing their well water if they have not already done so.”

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https://www.newsreview.com/chico/caution-in-the-creeks/content?oid=28140031