Arsenic, Nitrates Among Pollutants in California Drinking Water: Report

"SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California’s public drinking water systems violated safety levels for contaminants more than 1,000 times during the 2012-2013 fiscal year says a report that cites high levels in some water systems of arsenic, nitrates and other pollutants.

The report, ordered by the state Senate's Environmental Quality committee, is part of a broader effort to improve compliance with drinking water regulations, prompted by criticism of the state's oversight and a court settlement.

'Although the vast majority of Californians who receive drinking water from a public water system receive water that met quality standards in recent years, there are still many who may have consumed unsafe water,' Senate researchers said in the report, which was released on Wednesday."

Sharon Bernstein reports for Reuters February 18, 2015.