The quality of San Diego's drinking water is at risk if more than $300 million in repairs aren't done. In 2002, the state Department of Health Services notified the city of San Diego that it was in danger of violating a disinfection rule for its drinking water. KPBS Reporter Amita Sharma has more.
The rule was aimed at cutting chronic health risks -- such as cancer - that can be posed by water not properly disinfected. In response, the city started a compliance program but it was suspended last year because of San Diego's fiscal troubles. City Attorney Mike Aguirre says now the city is putting more chlorine in the water to make sure it's safe.
Aguirre: "There is a bacterial film buildup in the piping system and along the walls. So that is designed to try to wipe that out. One other way to do it is to replace it and improve it and so that's what we have to try to do."
The cost of fixing the water system is about $300 million. Aguirre supports a plan to sell bonds on the private market and have ratepayers finance the debt. Amita Sharma, KPBS News.
