Washington, DC – On the very first day of the new session of Congress, Rep. Joe Baca (D-Rialto) introduced legislation intended to protect the health of local residents by ensuring that area water is safe to drink. 

The bill, known as the Inland Empire Water Preservation Act (H.R. 13), would require the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a study to determine how to clean up water sources in Rialto, Fontana and Colton that have been contaminated by perchlorate. 

Rep. Baca said, “I am introducing this bill right as the 110^th Congress begins to underscore the importance of this issue.  Clean water is a basic necessity, and I hope Congress will move swiftly to pass this legislation.” 

The discovery of perchlorate in the Rialto and Chino groundwater basins at levels exceeding state and federal health standards forced cities and water utilities to close 22 wells in the area. 

Perchlorate, a rocket fuel additive, is a volatile organic compound that has been found to be harmful to humans as it interferes with thyroid function.  According to experts, 90% of the perchlorate found in water comes from a federal source, primarily from former military sites and other Department of Defense  (DOD) installations.

"Most of the perchlorate contamination in our district resulted from projects related to national defense.  By making the Army conduct its own study on perchlorate, this legislation is another step in holding DOD accountable," Rep. Baca said. 

Rep. Baca has been a leader in Congress on perchlorate cleanup and has previously secured federal funding to clean up contaminated sources.