Invasive species discovered at drinking water treatment plants in San Jose
For the first time, golden mussels, an invasive species of tiny mollusks that can rapidly reproduce and cause millions of dollars in damage to pipes, drinking water plants, irrigation systems and dams — sparking growing concerns across California — have been found in Santa Clara County. Last month, a juvenile golden mussel was discovered in the raw water intake area at the Penitencia Water Treatment plant near Alum Rock Park in San Jose. A few weeks later, in late April, an adult was found in a raw water strainer at the Santa Teresa Water Treatment Plant in San Jose’s Almaden area. … [T]he discovery of the diminutive invaders has alarmed local officials, who say they must now install equipment costing hundreds of thousands of dollars at some district facilities to remove them.
Other invasive species news:
- SJV Water (Bakersfield, Calif.): Rapid golden mussel infestation prompts Kern Supervisors to consider local emergency
- Spectrum News: California braces for hundreds of millions needed to mitigate impact of new invasive species
- FOX40 (Sacramento, Calif.): Lake Tahoe is ‘not taking any chances’ in fight against golden mussels
- California Department of Water Resources: News release: DWR modifies its invasive mussel inspection program at Oroville
