Getting Answer Road Tour: Rio Linda
RIO LINDA (CBS13) - Roughly translated, the name Rio Linda means "lovely river," but some people who call Rio Linda home say there's nothing lovely about one thing in their town: the water supply. It's a problem that's plagued the area for years, so what's being done about it?
Drive into the Sacramento County town of Rio Linda and you'll see horses hanging around and that signature archway hanging high. The local landmark at Rio Linda Boulevard and M Streets was originally displayed in Marysville in 1911 and then moved to Rio Linda in 1926. It was used to support overhead electric lines for the electric trolley system.
It's an interesting history, no doubt, and lately some are wondering what a sign saying "arch renovation" is all about. Here's the answer: The project's leader tells us even though the archway got a fresh coat of paint and some touching-up three years ago, there's a new effort to add permanent lights and make it an official historic landmark.
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We're not sure if that'll happen, but one thing we do know, drivers know they're in Rio Linda when they drive under the archway.
Now to a roadway that has some parents worried.
"Getting my kids to school, we sit at traffic for like 15 minutes waiting for cars to clear," said Lindsay, a Rio Linda resident and mom.
"There's no stop light and it's crazy," she says.
It's pretty busy along this stretch of Marysville and Rio Linda Boulevards. And while there is a stop sign, there's no light and no current plans to install one. There is a number to call in the Rio Linda area to reach the neighborhood management traffic program: (916) 875-4311. It's the take the first step in asking for better traffic control.
One last question flows in. It's a worry that's been circulating in Rio Linda for years: "What I'm concerned about is the water situation," said Trevor, a Rio Linda resident.
He's talking about high levels of a known carcinogen chromium-six. It's found in wells used by the Rio Linda-Elverta Water District. Half of that supply, according to state standards, contains too much of that carcinogen.
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What's being done to improve Rio Linda's water quality? Rio Linda Water District General Manager Mary Henrici tells CBS13 they are, "currently working on well studies and treatment pilot studies to try and resolve this issue."
For now we say goodbye as we turn the corner under the archway and head to our next Getting Answers Road Tour stop…maybe in your town.
The Getting Answers Road Tour airs every Friday night at 10 on CBS13.