Asbestos Discovered at Pumping Plant

BAKERSFIELD, CA – According to officials, asbestos was found at the Ira J. Chrisman Wind Gap Pumping Plant, which supplies water from Kern County over the Grapevine and into Los Angeles.

Plant officials say asbestos was discovered by a worker who was doing routine maintenance at the plant. However, there is no risk for the public or water safety, officials said.

“We were doing some maintenance to one of our large pumping units. An employee came to know that he might have disturbed some asbestos while disassembling some piping,” said Field Division Chief Jeff Said.

Officials said they acted at once to ensure everyone was safe. They closed the facility in which asbestos was found and sent the worker for check-up.

Officials are not in an attempt to figure out how widespread the asbestos is at the facility and how to eliminate it.

State water officials said there is no harm to the water supply and the incident not at all affected the amount of water pumped to the Los Angeles area.

«


»