Pasadena Sues Caltech Over Polluted Groundwater: Report

PASADENA, CA — City officials are suing Caltech over allegations that the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which the university runs, contaminated the local groundwater supply through its rocket research, Pasadena Now reported.

A test of the city’s groundwater found it contained toxic chemicals, including perchlorate and carbon tetrachloride, according to the magazine. High levels of perchlorate could lead to thyroid issues, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Carbon tetrachloride is considered a possible carcinogenic to humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More than 40 percent of the city's water comes from groundwater, Pasadena Now reported.

Despite the chemicals found in the water, city officials told Pasadena Now that the “drinking water meets or exceeds” all of California’s safety standards before reaching residents.

Visit the Pasadena Now website to read more about the groundwater lawsuit against Caltech.