As wells and reservoirs dry up across California amid worsening drought conditions, Ruth Reservoir, which provides water for most of Humboldt County’s population centers, is at 87% capacity — exactly where it should be.
John Friedenbach, general manager of the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District, said Ruth Reservoir has remained resilient through the drought.
Of concern is potentially migrating dioxins from pentachlorophenol, a wood preservative that was used at the mill site before being banned in the mid-1980s. In response, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control has hired an engineering firm to do a new round of testing at the site.
Water suppliers across the region — from local cities to community service districts — are suspending shutoffs for nonpayment in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak and the resulting widespread business closures.
The Water News Network is San Diego County’s source for water news and information.
