Lemoore water Project Resumes after Fatal Explosion, Lingering Contamination Concerns
LEMOORE, CA – Six years after it’s initial groundbreaking, teh City of Lemoore has reopened bidding to complete its vital water treatment plant replacement project. The ambitious undertaking, crucial for meeting state regulations on drinking water contaminants, was dramatically halted in 2021 by a catastrophic explosion that claimed the life of a construction worker and sent a 1.5 million-gallon tank soaring.
The explosion, which occurred when the project was approximately 75% complete, tragically killed 41-year-old welder Dian Jones. Following the incident, the project stalled due to ongoing litigation initiated by Jones’ family.Mayor Patricia Matthews confirmed the pause, stating, “The treatment project was paused because of the ongoing litigation.” A case management conference is slated for August 20, with a trial date set for May 20, 2026.
Originally budgeted at $22 million in 2019, the final cost of the new treatment plants remains undisclosed, as city representatives did not provide updated figures in response to repeated inquiries.
The necessity for the new plants stems from stringent state regulations aimed at reducing trihalomethanes (TTHMs) in the drinking water. TTHMs, a byproduct of the water treatment process formed when organic material interacts with chlorine, have been detected in Lemoore’s municipal wells, alongside aluminum, arsenic, and lead.
Long-term exposure to elevated levels of TTHMs, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection agency (EPA), can lead to liver, kidney, or central nervous system issues and an increased risk of cancer.Randon Reeder, Lemoore’s Finance Manager and former Public Works analyst, addressed the complexities of restarting the project. “It’s more intricate than just looking for another contractor. There are bonds, insurance, warranty to worry about,” Reeder explained, noting that “No contractor will come and finish the work” of another.Residents have been kept informed of water quality through the city’s annual consumer confidence reports, distributed each July 1. However, testing has not indicated an immediate risk, negating the need for alternative water sources or bottled water. Reeder acknowledged that TTHM testing in 2024 showed Lemoore’s wells averaging 183% above the maximum permissible level, but characterized the risk as “minimal.”