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Is Stockton's Water Supply Safe? Concerns Raised Over Disinfectant That Could Damage Pipes

STOCKTON (CBS13) — A disinfectant slated to be added to Stockton's drinking water supply is raising health concerns from a prominent environmental attorney.

The city decided to add chloramine to the water two years ago and it's poised to finally do it, starting with North Stockton. While the federal government says it's safe, Mayor Anthony Silva says he has doubts and he's calling in backup.

Residents may not have even noticed the difference if it wasn't for celebrity environmental activist Erin Brockovich posting on Facebook about it. She called the city "lazy" and "cheap" for using chloramines to clean the water.

She's agreed to the city's invitation to talk about the effects of the disinfectant in person.

Chloramine is a mixture of chlorine and ammonia used to clean germs from the water. San Francisco and Tracy also use the chemical.

"I don't recall it being much of a financial decision, just more of a what has to happen for a city our size," Silva said.

The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention says "small amounts of chloramine does not cause harmful health effects and provides protection against waterborne disease outbreaks." It warns the chemical could affect the lead and copper pipes transporting the water.

Brockovich says that could lead cause Stockton to be like Flint, Michigan. That city is dealing with the fallout of corroding pipes leaching lead in the drinking water supply, raising concerns of brain defects and learning disabilities in children.

A town hall meeting is set with Brockovich on at 6 p.m. on Jan. 27 at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds.

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