The Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Tribe is currently supplying bottled water to 35 homes on its reservation in Southern California.

Tribal members are being encouraged to drink the bottled water instead of the well water that they would normally drink. The tribe is concerned about the impact of the chemical perchlorate, found in the well, will have on its members.

The chemical is a by-product from the production of rocket fuel and is found in many places throughout southern California. Currently no water regulations -- state, federal or tribal -- exist for the chemical. It is unclear of the health risks of the chemical in humans although animal models have shown that it can affect the thyroid gland.

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The Desert Sun Drinking Water Woes (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 2/11)