Barstow Residents Warned: Don’t Drink The Water

A statement posted on the city’s website says Golden State Water Company was notified Thursday that water samples showed levels of perchlorate above the maximum contaminant level of six parts per billion.

Perchlorate is an inorganic chemical used in rocket fuel and defense manufacturing. It has been shown to interfere with the uptake of iodide by the thyroid gland, reducing the production of thyroid hormones which could lead to adverse effects associated with inadequate hormone levels.

Boiling, freezing, filtering or letting water stand does not reduce the perchlorate level.

Golden State Water Company is investigating the source of the contamination.