What's Wrong With This Picture?

"Let’s look at our current water situation: Chromium 6 and other toxins are now being detected in our municipal drinking water. People are buying and ordering bottled water while wondering when it will be safe to take a hot, steaming bubble bath. Other people are wondering how they can afford to buy bottled water for their family. No one in or out of government is talking about the unstable geological situation in the upper east valley. These "spreading fields" were created by nature to collect rain once in a while to recharge our ground water. What will happen if they are filled to the brim all year round with treated, recycled "water"? The word "liquefaction" comes to mind. There are many toxic waste dumps adjacent to the spreading fields and aquifers. What if the water table rises and spills over into the pollution surrounding the dumpsites? And finally, what about the children going to school every day, running and playing only to find "relief" at the nearest faucet? What choice do THEY have? We dare not test this recycling project on the delicate geology and the even more fragile humanity in Los Angeles."

—Fran Reichenbach, community organizer and publisher of the Beachwood VOICE, CanyonVox@aol.com.