More out of town law firms are showing interest in Northeast Fresno's water problems

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Two firms are taking the city to court because they said the city has failed to provide information about their water testing program. The City of Fresno has been holding public meetings as part of a campaign to assure the public it is doing everything possible to deal with the discolored and, in some cases, lead contaminated water coming out of the faucets of some homes in Northeast Fresno.

Residents whose homes are tested are given the results, but two law firms, one in New Orleans and another in Oakland, are seeking more information. They've filed demands in Fresno County Superior Court to try and get it.

"Understanding what those test results say and where and how they were obtained will go a long way towards understanding if the drinking water is safe. And whether the city is appropriately addressing the issue," said Jason Flanders, Aqua Terra Aeris law group.

Aqua Terra Aeris law group in Oakland is working with New Orleans lawyer William Most. They have filed requests with the city for information about water testing and in their court documents, it said the city has responded by sending them the wrong information. A 1998 report about the potential problems that could be caused by the water treatment plant that opened in 2004. So they filed a writ in court to demand the city turn over the proper information.

"The public has a right to see the results themselves, we've requested very basic information and the city has not provided an explanation of why that could not be provided," said Flanders.

City Hall Spokesman Mark Standriff told Action News the city has not seen the complaint and can't comment on it. He did say the city is continuing to test homes for lead. As of August 24th 554 properties have been tested and of the 1,570 fixtures tested, 130 tested for lead above 15PPB-- which is the Federal Action Level for lead.

After changing the chemicals mixture in the city's water the number of faucets leaching lead was down to 93. Only six of the faucets with lead were in kitchens, the most common source of drinking water in the home.