Lower Colorado - New River Toxics Survey

1. Purpose and Objectives: The purpose is to determine the levels of toxic pollutants in the lower Colorado River due to concern about the quality of the water supply for Mexicali and Tijuana. Interest in New River monitoring was elevated when Imperial County and a coalition of environmental justice groups filed petitions under the Toxic Substances Control Act.

2. Funding: EPA has provided a total of $361,000 for this project: $240,000 to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to monitor for toxic pollutants in water and sediments; $72,000 to the University of California at Davis (UCD) to measure aquatic toxicity and assist in data compilation; and $49,000 to California Fish and Game (DFG) for analysis of bioaccumulation in fish tissue.

3. Partners: Primary U.S. partners include EPA, USGS, UCD, DFG, State of Arizona, and IBWC U.S. Section. Mexican partners include MxIBWC and CNA.

4. Description: A binational program for monitoring toxic pollutants in the Colorado and New Rivers has been developed. Three sites on each river were monitored during the first round. Five sites were monitored on the Colorado River during the second round. The second round of sampling on the New River has also completed. Now, a published report detailing results will be completed.

6. U.S. Contacts: Ed Liu, EPA Region 9, (415) 744-1934 Roy Schroeder, USGS, (619) 637-6824 Dr. Francisco Oyarbazal, CNA, 65-52-86-82 Carlos Pena, IBWC (915) 534-6704