Santa Cruz County supervisors in February. (Marcello Hutchinson-Trujillo)

The State Water Resources Control Board notified Santa Cruz County staff that a well near Rountree may have elevated levels of PFAS, or “forever chemicals” in 2019. Continued testing showed contamination from the chemicals. The county was legally required to notify users of the contamination, but not required to provide another water source.

Work on a new water filter at the facility that can remove the chemicals is expected this year, paid for by an $800,000 state grant.

PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of synthetic chemicals used in firefighting foam and everyday products such as nonstick pans. They are known as forever chemicals because they keep building up and never break down — in the soil, the water, and in plants, animals and our bodies. 

Studies have associated long-term exposure with kidney cancer and other health harms. 

The settlement includes Tyco Fire Products LP, Chemguard, Inc., and BASF Corp. A payout to the county would likely be less than $10,000, according to a county staff report.

Cannabis rules and potential voting changes are also on Tuesday’s county supervisors agenda.

Cannabis rules

Two new laws to expand cannabis access in areas outside of Santa Cruz County’s cities are expected to receive final approval. 

One law would allow cannabis farms to sell their products at firm stands. The other would allow lounges in or next to dispensaries that allow customers to smoke or otherwise consume cannabis on-site.

Proposed elections changes

County elections officials are scheduled to speak about a potential federal law they said could disenfranchise many Santa Cruz County voters. 

Introduced in Congress in January, the SAVE Act would require voters to present documents that prove citizenship in person when registering to vote. 

The law could make voting more difficult or impossible for people who don’t have up-to-date documents, including unhoused people, natural disaster survivors, and people in jail, according to a report from County Clerk Tricia Webber.

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