Environmental testing results of rainwater collected near the Lawson Dump Site is expected to take up to 10 days, county officials said Thursday.
The Department of Environmental Health gathered samples of rainwater near the dump site on Tuesday, the earliest it could collect the prepared test sample kits from the laboratory, according to a statement from Riverside County. Testing is being done at the direction of the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
“The community and the county alike want answers to what is in the water. After contacting multiple laboratories, 10 days is the fastest turnaround time for this specific testing,” said Supervisor V. Manuel Perez in a statement. “In the meantime, I urge all residents in the area to follow safety precautions.”
The San Jose, Vargas, and Gamez mobile home parks have been under an evacuation warning since Saturday due to flooding of water and unknown materials, according to county officials. Evacuated residents can access a shelter with meals and services at the Galilee Center in Mecca.
County teams have responded to the Lawson Dump Site since Saturday and found a breach in its retaining berm, prompting a local emergency proclamation on Tuesday, county officials said. The proclamation is expected to be ratified Tuesday by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors at their regularly scheduled meeting.
On Wednesday, vehicle access was restored by the County Transportation Department to all three mobile home parks, county officials said.
Road closures that remain in place are:
— Fillmore Street in Thermal with a bridge closure at 52nd Avenue;
— Johnson Street in Oasis from Avenue 81 to Avenue 82;
— and Van Buren Street in Vista Santa Rosa from Avenue 66 to Avenue 62.
Residents were asked to avoid contact with rainwater and runoff while officials wait for rainwater testing results come in, which will determine whether additional precautions will be necessary, county officials said, urging people who feel unwell or experience symptoms to contact their doctor or go to a local health clinic.
Additionally, the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District will survey the area and provide mosquito control treatments sometime this week, according to county officials.