Clean water is a major concern of Californians, so the recent uncovering of “widespread arsenic-tainted groundwater” in the eastern Coachella Valley is just another indication of the widespread nature of the issue. Barbara Boxer addressed this with the Palm Springs Desert Sun,

“I will continue all my efforts to make drinking water safe,” U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer said Friday. “In the 21st century, no one should have to fear there is arsenic in their drinking water.”

A Desert Sun report on Jan. 31 found that thousands of east valley residents live in areas potentially containing hazardous levels of naturally occurring arsenic in their groundwater.

Arsenic has been linked to risk of cancer when ingested over time at levels of more than 10 parts per billion.

Boxer, a Democrat who lives in Rancho Mirage, chairs the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee. That body looks at drinking water issues nationwide.

Senator Boxer has championed tough standards to ensure clean and safe drinking water throughout her career. She’s led the fight to keep rocket fuel out of drinking water, to protect against the leaking of toxic chemicals in underwater storage tanks, and to maintain drinking water standards that are proven to protect the safety of children, pregnant women and the elderly.

And, Senator Boxer led the successful fight against the Bush Administration’s plan to weaken the arsenic standard for drinking water. After she won passage in the Senate calling for a tougher arsenic standard, the Administration backed down from its plan.