Summary
Hollister's tap water is 39% groundwater while Sunny Slope customers get 82% surface water — a historical staff-level decision, not a council policy. The council asked for costs to improve the blend and for a mix that gets chromium-6 below 10 parts per billion, plus a study session with independent experts.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 5
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Jun 29, 2026.
Impact analysis
Unknown — the council asked staff to price out both a compliant blend and one matching Sunny Slope's quality.
All Hollister water customers, who would get cleaner, better-tasting water and less faucet and fixture wear.
Residents near the affected wells, including homes and schools near South and Powell, who until now had no affirmative assurance or independent verification of water safety.
Mentions & discussions (5)
City Council - Special Meeting
Hollister's 2025 water quality report came back clean: no E. coli, coliform, or PFOS detections, nitrate levels at historic lows, and big progress on trihalomethanes. Work continues on a hexavalent chromium compliance strategy already approved by the state.
City Council Meeting
Council discussion clarified Hollister's water is a 70/30 blend of Central Valley surface water and local groundwater; naturally occurring chromium-6 triggered state monitoring after standards tightened. Officials emphasized the water is safe to drink.
City Council Meeting
Hollister's tap water is 39% groundwater while Sunny Slope customers get 82% surface water — a historical staff-level decision, not a council policy. The council asked for costs to improve the blend and for a mix that gets chromium-6 below 10 parts per billion, plus a study session with independent experts.
City Council Meeting
Residents got notices about chromium-6 levels at two wells. The mayor and city manager insisted the water is safe; Resendiz cautioned against overstating certainty, and the city plans third-party environmental verification.
City Council - Special Meeting
Two of the city's five wells tested above the state's 10-parts-per-billion reporting threshold for chromium-6 (one around 11-12, one at 13), triggering public notification letters. The city says the water is safe to drink and a blending plan with regional partners is being finalized; the council wants faster, independent third-party testing and answers on whether the tomato plant (San Benito Foods) or geology is the source.
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