(AP) - A search for new sources of water by Sacramento County's Rio Linda-Elverta Community Water District has found that wells closest to a former Air Force base have high levels of hexavalent chromium, or chromium-6, a known carcinogen.
The Sacramento Bee reports that six of the 11 wells in the district tested above the state's maximum contaminant level for chromium-6. All the wells above the state standard are near the former McClellan Air Force Base just northeast of Sacramento.
Author of the report Larry Ernst says the chromium levels are coming from the Air Force base. His research found that chromium levels decrease the farther away wells are from the base.
McClellan radiation safety officer Steve Mayer says the chromium levels are not from McClellan contamination and that the Air Force tests its groundwater.
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