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The first step to dissolve the Sativa Water Board in Compton has been taken, it was announced Friday.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn voted to begin proceedings to initiate the dissolution of the small district, which serves 1,600 customers in Compton and Willowbrook and recently had brown water running through its taps, according to a statement from the Supervisor’s office.

“People have a right to clean, safe water,” said Hahn. ”Dissolving the Sativa Water District is the first step to ensuring these residents get the clean, drinkable water that they deserve.”

Customers reported the brown water in April and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health conducted testing and determined the brown water did not pose health risks but did contain high levels of manganese, the supervisor’s office said.

The brown water has prevented many customers from drinking, cooking, or bathing and forced many to switch to using costly bottled water.

A report from the Local Agency Formation Commission found the Sativa Water Board suffers from continuing operational issues, including a lack of adequate water sources and storage capacity, aging water mains, along with inadequate operational and management resources.

Supervisor Hahn also called for an amendment for staff to explore a ratepayer subsidy to help relieve the cost burden of needed repairs and upgrades to the system. Her amendment passed unanimously.

First Move Made To Dissolve Agency Tied To Brown Water in Compton was last modified: by

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