The Cupertino Courier

News

Plaza fountains stay off while county investigates

By Cody Kraatz

The city of Cupertino is in no hurry to turn the Civic Center Plaza play fountains back on because it may need to upgrade the water purification system.

City officials are waiting for direction in writing from Santa Clara County environmental health authorities stating exactly what upgrades it needs to make.

"The city will do whatever is deemed appropriate by the county," said Cupertino spokesman Rick Kitson.

The county is investigating seven other recirculating play fountains in the county after surveying the various cities.

"When the original survey was conducted, the Cupertino fountains were inadvertently left out of the list," said Rochelle Gaddi, a senior environmental health specialist who compiled that list. Cupertino officials were never contacted.

The county will provide its recommendations soon, said Gaddi. It will likely use New York state regulations.

Cupertino's fountains use a reverse osmosis filter and chlorine. This is not effective against cryptosporidium, a hard-shelled microscopic parasite that caused nausea and diarrhea in children who played in fountains at San Jose's Plaza de Cesar Chavez last summer.

A 2006 test showed Cupertino's fountains to be clean, city officials said.

The city may have to budget money this year for fountain upgrades that could include a powerful ultraviolet light or ozone purifier, which is considered the best protection against cryptosporidium.

San Jose expects upgrades to the Plaza de Cesar Chavez fountains, a 4,000-watt ultraviolet lamp, a chlorination system and a high-end filter, to cost about $600,000.

For more information about cryptosporidium prevention, visit www.cryp tosporidiumblog.com, www.health.state.ny.us or www.cdc.gov.