$680,000 GRANT TO AID GLENDALE MONEY TO PAY FOR RESEARCH ON REMOVING CHROMIUM 6.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

GLENDALE - Armed with a $680,000 federal grant, Glendale officials will continue working to establish technology for removing chromium 6 from local groundwater supplies.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the grant to Glendale - along with $70,000 to be shared by the University of California, Los Angeles; Utah State University and the University of Colorado - to evaluate ways to remove hexavalent chromium from drinking water.

The ongoing study will determine whether technology can be developed to extract low levels of chromium from water.

``This funding gives us the opportunity to collaborate with experts in the field to help solve this complex problem,'' said Catherine Kuhlman, acting director of the EPA's Water Division in San Francisco.

So far, the studies have shown promise, said Don Froelich, water and services administrator for the city's Water and Power Department.

``The laboratory studies have identified some promising technology, but they are going to require more extensive review,'' Froelich said. ``We are now in our second phase of the study, which will take a year to complete.''

Last year, the Glendale City Council reluctantly agreed to operate the Flower Street water treatment plant at capacity, allowing higher chromium 6 levels into local supplies.

The council's decision to operate the plant was made after the EPA rejected the city's plan to shut down two wells with high levels of chromium and operate the plant at 4,000 gallons per minute, instead of its capacity of 5,000 gpm.

In doing so, the chromium 6 level in the water was raised to a maximum of 5 parts per billion, a fraction of the state's total chromium standard of 50 ppb and federal standard of 100 ppb.

A chemical used in chrome plating and aerospace manufacturing processes, chromium 6 is carcinogenic when inhaled, but its effects when ingested have yet to be determined and are under study by the National Toxicology Program.

It is found statewide, entering water supplies from natural sources or from improper industrial waste disposal.

Glendale, along with Burbank, the city of San Fernando, and Los Angeles have invested a total of $200,000 so far, plus an additional $200,000 from the American Waterworks Association, to study new forms of technology.

Froelich said once the study phase is complete, the city will build a demonstration to test the technology.

``Glendale continues to take an active role in the removal of chromium 6 and, we're all in a watch mode right now, to see the results of health studies,'' Froelich said. ``Glendale is working on the technology and cost information. When a standard is set, the state will have a good scientific study to base standards from.''

Funding from the EPA was secured by U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena, and Sen. Barbara Boxer.

``The city of Glendale is very pleased with the EPA grant and the efforts of Adam Schiff,'' Glendale Mayor Rafi Manoukian said in a statement. ``Hexavalent chromium content in water continues to be a concern for many communities. This grant will allow Glendale to take a national leadership role in the treatment and removal of hexavalent chromium in the water supply.''