Carcinogen removal will cause water bill spikes [Video]

Water bills in California are going to increase to keep a cancer-causing element out of drinking water.

The California State Water Resources Control Board voted unanimously to reduce hexavalent chromium from the water supply. Coachella City Councilmember Frank Figueroa said at the board meeting that his constituents can’t afford to pay for this cleanup.

“Updated costs for construction of the system are closer to $90 million with average monthly bills increasing by almost 500%. An insufferable figure for a community with an average income of $35,000,” he said.

Figueora’s cost estimates are different from the state’s. The California State Water Resources Control Board estimated that 90% of customers are expected to pay an extra $8 a month.

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