South Gate : New Water Treatment May Lead to Reopening of Well
City and state officials have unveiled a new water-treatment system designed to clean up one of South Gate’s six contaminated wells that have been closed.
Ultrox International, a Santa Ana company, constructed and installed the system, which uses ultraviolet light and ozone gases to purify the water, according to company representatives.
The city is receiving $100,000 from the state to evaluate whether the treated water is fit to enter the municipal water supply, said Michael Vivas, waste management engineer for the Department of Health Services Toxic Substances Control Program Alternative Technology Division. Tests are expected to last about a year at well No. 18 near Lee Lane and Karmont Avenue, Vivas added.
Six of the city’s 14 wells were shut down between November, 1985, and December, 1988, after tests showed that tetrachloroethylene (also known as perchloroethylene or PCE) exceeded the state health service’s recommended limit.
City officials also were exploring ways to clean up the other wells, said James Biery, director of public works.
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