The City of Stockton said it will now post monthly water readings online. This, after environmental activist Erin Brockovich raised questions and concerns about Stockton's water. Monday night, Brockovich sat down with water experts at Delta College for a special town hall meeting.
Last month, she accused the city of adding ammonia to its drinking water. More than 1,200 people turned out for the water forum Monday. There were lots of facts and figures about the controversial subject of using chloramines to disinfect drinking water, instead of chlorine.
"We are the next Flint," Brockovich said.
"After hearing Erin Brockovich and her partner, we have a real problem out here," Stockton Resident Willie Collins said.
Brockovich received a warm applause when she first sat down on stage; someone from the audience shouted, "Thanks for being our voice." Nearly a dozen speakers were invited to the town hall, representing groups like Restore the Delta and California Sportsfishing Protection Alliance.
Bill Jennings with the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance said tap water is safer than bottled water. He believes the City of Stockton made a reasonable decision to add chloramine to disinfect water.
Water Treatment Consultant Bob Bobcock, who works with Erin Brockovich, is adamantly against chloramines. He told the audience that Stockton has choices. And he said cities converting to chloramine "are on a one-way collision course with disaster."
Later, when Brockovich spoke, she applauded Mayor Anthony Silva for hosting the forum. At the same time, she called the city manager out for not showing up or allowing city staff to attend. That comment garnered a number of jeers from the audience. Apparently, the city manager didn't allow staff to attend the forum, saying that the mayor was being political.
Mayor Silva responded Monday night saying, "the chemicals we put in our water is not political; it keeps our families safe."
"Where do I get water safe for my family?" asked one woman.
"How was everyone notified?" asked another woman.
Earlier in the day, Brockovich toured the city's water treatment plant in north Stockton. "We're not here for any destructive reason or to cause alarm it anything. The community came to me," Brockovich said.
Brockovich urged residents to "light up" their city leaders and to get involved by attending future city council meetings. She told the audience there is no Superman. She said it's up to residents to save themselves, get involved, and show up at city council meetings to let leaders know what is going on. Brockovich got a standing ovation when she was done talking.
She said she may come back to Stockton help move the water quality issue forward.
