Here we go again - nearly 50,000 gallons of oil fluids released from Chevron's Cymric Oilfield seep

The Bakersfield Californian has just reported that Chevron's Cymric oil seep, the one that was instrumental in causing California Governor Gavin Newsome to stop the state from issuing new steam injection permits, has once again begun leaking oil to the surface.

The early days of Chevron's Cymric Oilfield seep in 2019

Photo Credit: California Office of Spill Prevention and Response 

The latest "spill" contained almost 47,000 gallons (115 barrels) of produced fluid, approximately 588 gallons of which were crude oil, according to the paper.

Chevron was fined $2.7 million dollars last October for the seepage from its operations near McKittrick, CA, raising questions about whether the oil industry has been sufficiently regulated in the state.

Those questions have resulted in the aforementioned ban and other changes in how oil development permits are issued to the industry and in Kern County in particular.

More bad news for Kern County - parts of Lake Isabella and Kern River unsafe for people and pets

Things continue to get worse for Kern County's water environments with the news today that parts of Lake Isabella and the mighty Kern River may be unsafe to enter.

Only a week after declaring Lake Ming in Bakersfield unsafe for human contact, the Kern County Public Health Services Department issued a cautionary notice today for Kissack Cove at Lake Isabella and that portion of the Kern River that contains the Keyesville Recreation Area and the Calloway Weir Area.

Lake Isabella, Photo Credit: ©Frank Maccioli

The reason for the notice: potentially harmful blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). The algae bloom is characterized as having a bright green color with streaks that look like spilled paint. They can also appear as floating foam, scum, or mats with a blue-green, white, or brown color. 

Exposure to the algae can cause rashes, allergic reactions, irritation, and gastrointestinal problems. At high levels, serious illness and death are a possibility. Additionally, animals exposed to it can suffer diarrhea, vomiting, convulsions, and death.

The algae was determined to be present following testing by the California Water Resources Control Board. Additional testing is underway.

In the meantime, Kern County officials gave the following advice:

• Stay away from scum, and cloudy or discolored water.
• Do not use these waters for drinking or cooking. Boiling or filtering will not make the water safe.
• Do not let pets or livestock go into or drink the water, or go near the scum.
• Do not eat shellfish from these waters.
• For fish caught here, throw away guts and clean fillets with tap water or bottled water before cooking.
• Call your doctor or veterinarian if you or your pet get sick after going into the water.

Third world water issues hit Bakersfield and Kern County - Lake Ming declared unsafe for human contact

We've been reading a lot recently about the extremely contaminated water issues in the Rio Summer Olympics recently. Despite promises to the contrary by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Rio de Janeiro and Brazilian officials, raw sewage continues to flow into the waters where Olympic swimmers and boaters will be competing. The solution according to officials? Don't swim with one's mouth open.

Photo: Lake Ming - Kern County website, Fair Use

A similar situation has just occurred here in Bakersfield with an announcement today by the Kern County Public Health Department (KCPHD). Testing of samples collected by the KCPHD has revealed that "potentially" harmful bacteria levels are present in Lake Ming, a very popular local recreation spot.

Although the KCPHD described it as "potentially" harmful, nevertheless it issued a no contact advisory for people to avoid water from the lake. The bacteria can be ingested or enter one's body through a skin cut or sore. If this happens, one can become sick, develop a rash, or contract an infection.

The Director of KCPHD, Matt Considine, said, "Issuing a no contact advisory is a preventative measure. We will continue to test and monitor bacteria levels."

Warning signs have been placed around the lake. The signs will not be removed until further testing reveals that bacteria levels are at safe levels.