(task) Fracking Poisons California's Water | Dr. Reese Halter

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-reese-halter/fracking-poisons-californ_b_5986758.html

Fracking Poisons California's Water

Nearly 3 billion gallons (or the equivalent of 454 Olympic swimming pools) of oil industry wastewater were illegally dumped into central California's aquifer supplying drinking water and irrigation to farmers.

Join me for another segment of SOS from Los Angeles as I explain how Central California's water was contaminated by tracking.

Documents obtained by The Center for Biological Diversity also revealed that Central Valley Water Board tests found high levels of arsenic, thallium and nitrates in water supply wells near nine of the hydraulic fracking wastewater disposal operations. Sullying fresh water contravenes both California's state law and the federal Safe Water Drinking Act, which protects aquifers.

California is believed to have more than 15 billion barrels of oil locked within the rocks under its Central Valley. Photo credit: sustainableworks.org

Fresh water is trading at an all-time high in California. Earlier this year, farmers outbid the city of Santa Barbara paying $7 million to secure water for growing almonds.

Fresh water is the most precious natural resource on our planet. In a warming world fresh water is 'king." Photo crdeit: sonamgaurav.blogspot.com

California has an estimated 2,853 wastewater injection sites, of which 1,552 are currently active, including offshore wells near Santa Barbara.

Thallium is extremely toxic; it's used in rat poison. Arsenic is known to cause cancer.

California has the largest agricultural industry in the state of the union, at $44.7 billion annually. California supplies at least 50 percent of the nation's vegetable, fruits and nuts.

California's Central Valley is the almond growing capital of the world. In February of each year about 80 percent of all US commercial bees or 1.8 million beehives work tirelessly for about a month to pollinate a crop worth in excess of $3 billion. Photo credit: davidsanger.com

In the midst of a deep drought and with all computer models forecasting a drier future, it's time to protect ground water, not pollute it.

Photo credit: farmsreach.com

Write Governor Jerry Brown and ask him to protect California's groundwater from fracking pollution: Governor Jerry Brown, c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173, Sacramento, CA 95814

Please support The Center for Biological Diversity.

Join Earth Dr Reese Halter in his crusade to protect our planet by watching Earth Calling SOS.

Follow Dr. Reese Halter on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DrReeseHalter