Water Tainted

Water contamination

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Water Tainted

Water contamination

Naturally and man-made substances leach into the ground and contaminate the groundwater that we rely on to drink. Water in the the San Joaquin Valley is the most contaminated within not only California, but in the U.S.

There are large-scale economic and industrial forces at work that affect the health of residents leaving near corporate mega-dairies and farms.

Screen Shot 2016-11-03 at 10.55.45 PM.png — Manure from large confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) seep into the ground contaminating the water with nitrates making it unsafe to drink.

Along with nitrates from manure and fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals, the Central Valley is plagued with 1, 2, 3 - TCP. This is one of the most dangerous cancer causing chemical in the world. As a convenient way to get rid of the 1,2,3 - TCP, companies Dow and Shell mixed this plastics manufacturing residue into fertilizers which got dumped into the ground.

One by one they died

Sandra Garcia, Fighting for Clean Water

Sandra Garcia lives in the small town of Poplar, in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Surrounded by agriculture, her community faces drinking water contamination problems. She tells the story of her family's history as Braceros and a personal story of loss. Given her experiences, she fights for clean water and a healthy environment as a promatora, member of the AGUA coalition, and a founding member of the Community Water Center. In her story she blends personal struggles with struggles of the greater community, and advocates for others to join her in the fight.

Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) in the San Joaquin Valley.

Cristobal Chavez, Trying to Survive

Cristobal Chavez lives on a small ranch in Porterville, CA in the San Joaquin Valley. He moved his family from Los Angeles so that they could be self-sufficient on their ranch, growing their own vegetables, raising cattle and goats. His well is contaminated by nitrates and manure from the neighboring large scale contained animal feeding operation -- basically thousands of cows confined to one site. His family cannot bathe, cook or clean with the water and must rely on bottled water. He sees no solution to the problem, yet his farm is his means of survival. Spanish with English subtitles.