The City of Coachella has received $500k in funding to establish a Stannous Chloride Pilot Program aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of chloride in the City's drinking water, according to a July 25 release from the city. Previous testing has demonstrated that stannous chloride can successfully protect pipes from corrosion and has the potential to safely and economically reduce chromium-6 levels in the water system.
"We are grateful to have this critical support for our community. This latest half-a-million dollar state investment will support vital water quality improvements that are necessary to improve the quality of life for our residents," Mayor Pro Tem Neftali Galarza said in the release.
According to the release, Sen. Steve Padilla and Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia secured joint grant funding of $500,000 for the City of Coachella to establish a Stannous Chloride Pilot Program aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of chloride in the City's drinking water. Previous testing has demonstrated that stannous chloride can successfully protect pipes from corrosion and has the potential to safely and cost-effectively reduce chromium-6 levels in the water system.
In anticipation of the State Water Resources Control Board introducing a new chromium-6 drinking water standard later this year, the City is exploring a pilot study to showcase the effectiveness of stannous chloride as a cost-effective approach to meet the upcoming standard. The Pilot Program aims to provide valuable insights into alternative chromium-6 treatment technologies, potentially offering additional information that may be required by the State Water Board in their decision-making process.
According to the Coachella Valley Water District, stannous chloride is an approved drinking water and food additive that is commonly found in toothpaste, mouthwash and canned food. The use of Stannous Chloride in treating drinking water will not alter the taste, smell or appearance. Chromium-6 is occurs naturally in some of Coachella Valley's groundwater due to erosion of natural deposits. According to CVWD, chromium-6 does not cause any immediate health risks. The District had previously considered using conventional ion exchange technology in late 2016 to treat drinking water for Chromium-6, but stannous chloride has proven to be more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.