Agencies Rush to Protect Drinking Water from Contamination

Redlands staffers and officials with the East Valley Water District are reassuring area residents that despite a large fuel spill that reached the Santa Ana River, the local water is safe to use.

“Our number one priority is protecting our water supply,” said East Valley Water District General Manager/CEO John Mura through a written statement. “We will continue to use other clean drinking water sources while we ensure proper clean-up of this incident.”

The crash happened at 9:35 a.m. April 26. A tanker truck overturned along Highway 38 near Cold Creek in Angelus Oaks, spilling more than 5,000 gallons of diesel and gasoline, according to the California Highway Patrol.

According to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, the owners of the big rig involved are based in Upland.

The large vehicle blocked the road, forcing a closure. The vehicle was finally removed about 10:25 p.m. according to California Highway Patrol officials.

East Valley Water officials said local and state agencies immediately began working together to contain the spill and protect the drinking water supply. They have closed off access points to the Santa Ana River and were using other water sources until further notice, officials wrote.

“All agencies utilizing Santa Ana River Water have closed their access points, allowing the water to be contained around the Seven Oaks Dam,” officials wrote. “East Valley Water District, City of Redlands, and Bear Valley Mutual Water Company will be closely monitoring the system to ensure that none of the fuel spill enters the local water supply.”

Redlands officials released their own statement through Facebook:

“City of Redlands water supplies are unaffected by the fuel spill this morning on Highway 38. City water officials took precautionary measures this morning and will continue to test water for several weeks. None of the water affected by the fuel spill is reaching Redlands customers.”