Gomez Trial Attorneys and the national law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. have uncovered additional residential drinking water wells contaminated with toxic chemicals. Trichloroethylene (TCE) was discovered in residential drinking water wells south of the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport at levels over three times the drinking water standard. Over a dozen families have retained Gomez Trial Attorneys and Baron & Budd to represent them and investigate the contamination further.

The firms discovered additional wells contaminated with TCE, bringing the total number of known, contaminated wells to at least 10. The firms also discovered other chemicals such as 1,1-Dichloroethene (DCE) and tert-Butyl alcohol (TBA), an unfortunate, new discovery for the area.

“We found more than one well with more than one chemical in it. We have already begun additional sampling, but we are concerned by the current trend. The more we test, the more we find,” says John Fiske of Gomez Trial Attorneys. “It appears results our clients are receiving from the water board are consistent with results we are finding.”

TCE is a toxic chemical used as a solvent during mechanical operations, including the airline industry. TCE and DCE are toxic to humans and animals if exposed through oral ingestion, vapor inhalation, or dermal contact.

“These families have a right to clean water, and we are investigating whoever caused this contamination. This is a serious public health concern for the community because it appears the plume may be larger than originally known,” says Scott Summy of Baron & Budd.

The known, affected areas include the areas of Buckley Road, Thread Lane, Mello Lane, east of Davenport Creek Road, and Evans Road.

While the source of the TCE contamination is currently unknown, the California Regional Water Quality Control Board has identified the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport as a potential source, including airline and airplane operations.

Gomez Trial Attorneys is based in California and is committed to environmental justice, including the safe use of natural resources such as drinking water. Baron & Budd is a national law firm based in Dallas, Texas and is the leading law firm in water contamination cases.

For more information, please contact attorney John Fiske at Gomez Trial Attorneys at 619-237-3490 or Fiske@GomezTrialAttorneys.com.