Martinez Tribune The website of the Martinez Tribune.
Dear Editor,
I am writing after receiving a letter from the City of Martinez dated June 30, 2016. The letter’s subject is to notify water users that the City did NOT comply with State Regulations in 2015 in regards to testing for lead and copper in water distributed to users.
It is horrifying to learn that this significant oversight took place, especially with the ongoing water crisis in Flint, Michigan. The residents of Flint have been exposed to lead poisoning for a number of years now. The main cause of the Flint water poisoning was the lack/improper addition of corrosion prevention additives to the treated water, which led to high quantities of lead leeching from the pipes into the water.
With the lack of mandated testing in 2015 it leaves the Martinez water users not knowing if their water contained SAFE levels of lead and copper during 2015.
With the water crisis in Flint Michigan being first reported in early 2015, why did our mayor wait so long to request a report on lead in our City’s water supply.
This lack of concern for the water users in Martinez shows a lack of leadership by our mayor.
Kind Regards,
Mike Fleming
