Hollister council to address water-plant odor, chromium-6 levels at special meeting
Hollister’s city council is holding a special meeting to address a strong odor from the water reclamation facility and increased levels of chromium VI in the city’s water supply. Resident Jeff Minoza described the odor as “so strong to where like you think the garbage is open.”Mayor Roxanne Stephens emphasized the council’s commitment to transparency and prioritizing health and safety. “We want them to know that we’re not only going to be transparent, but that we are addressing health and safety, priority number one,” Stephens said.Councilman Rolan Resendiz attributed the issues to previous infrastructure neglect. “It never got taken care of,” he said. “When people would ask for their problems to be resolved, they were ignored. And guess what? What’s happening here in Hollister is exactly what the people of Hollister told them. What happened? The old mayor, the old council didn’t listen to them.”At the meeting, the city council will discuss their action plan, which includes bringing in new equipment and replacing existing infrastructure to reduce the smell, which they say should hopefully improve within the next month.The city is also working to lower chromium VI levels through additional testing and treatment. Resendiz expressed the need for expert evaluation, saying, “What I would like to have done is to bring an expert to look at environmental studies. That’s not something that we can determine without having an expert come in here. Is the water safe to drink, as the air safe to breathe?”Leaders say they will also provide updates on all council meetings going forward, and a letter will be sent to residents addressing the water concerns.
Hollister’s city council is holding a special meeting to address a strong odor from the water reclamation facility and increased levels of chromium VI in the city’s water supply.
Resident Jeff Minoza described the odor as “so strong to where like you think the garbage is open.”
Mayor Roxanne Stephens emphasized the council’s commitment to transparency and prioritizing health and safety.
“We want them to know that we’re not only going to be transparent, but that we are addressing health and safety, priority number one,” Stephens said.
Councilman Rolan Resendiz attributed the issues to previous infrastructure neglect.
“It never got taken care of,” he said. “When people would ask for their problems to be resolved, they were ignored. And guess what? What’s happening here in Hollister is exactly what the people of Hollister told them. What happened? The old mayor, the old council didn’t listen to them.”
At the meeting, the city council will discuss their action plan, which includes bringing in new equipment and replacing existing infrastructure to reduce the smell, which they say should hopefully improve within the next month.
The city is also working to lower chromium VI levels through additional testing and treatment.
Resendiz expressed the need for expert evaluation, saying, “What I would like to have done is to bring an expert to look at environmental studies. That’s not something that we can determine without having an expert come in here. Is the water safe to drink, as the air safe to breathe?”
Leaders say they will also provide updates on all council meetings going forward, and a letter will be sent to residents addressing the water concerns.