Residents, Community Water Center urge action after tests find high nitrate and 1,2,3-TCP in wells

Tony Carrillo, a resident who lives outside Greenfield city limits on Walnut Avenue, told the council his neighborhood is working through a coalition called Safe, Clean, and Affordable Water in Greenfield and that "many of the wells in our area are contaminated with high level nitrates and some with 1, 2, 3 TCP," making the water unsafe to drink.

Pedro Henriques, a community solutions advocate with Community Water Center, said the Center completed a draft feasibility study by GHD Inc. that recommends a potential long‑term drinking-water solution for the affected households. He said the work was funded by the State Water Resources Control Board’s Safer program and that the draft was first shared with the council on March 12, 2024. He told the council the study was shared again with city staff and regional partners on Jan. 28, 2025, and that Community Water Center expects to bring details back to the council for an informational item after soliciting community and partner feedback.

Why it matters: Contamination of domestic wells with nitrates and 1,2,3‑TCP presents a public‑health concern for households that rely on private wells. The presenters asked the city to coordinate with state and county partners and to consider options identified in the feasibility study.

What was requested and next steps

- Community Water Center asked for continued coordination among City of Greenfield staff, Monterey County, LAFCO, Supervisor Lopez’s office, and the Department of Water Resources.

- The presenters said they plan more outreach to households on Walnut Avenue, Pine Avenue and nearby streets (Twelfth, Thirteenth and Fourteenth Streets) and indicated an intent to return with study findings in a forthcoming informational report after additional community review.

Clarifying details from the meeting

- Contaminants named: nitrates (high levels) and 1,2,3‑TCP (trichloropropane) were both cited by residents and the Community Water Center.

- Study and funding: Community Water Center said a draft feasibility study by GHD Inc. was funded by the State Water Resources Control Board Safer program; the draft was initially shared with council on 03/12/2024 and again with staff and partners on 01/28/2025.

Ending

Speakers said they would continue community outreach and coordinate with city staff and regional agencies; no formal council action was taken at the meeting.