Northern California water company sends water to residents in East Palestine

by MIKE MANGAS, ADAM ROBINSON

Wednesday, March 8th 2023

Castle Rock Water Co. in Dunsmuir, Calif., holds a sign that reads, "Pure Castle Rock Spring Water from DUNSMUIR, CA to EAST PALESTINE, OH | WE HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN YOU! | Uber Freuight" on March 7, 2023. (KRCR)

SISKIYOU COUNTY, Calif. —

A big rig loaded with Castle Rock Spring Water is headed east on Tuesday night on its way to East Palestine, Ohio where a train derailed and dumped thousands of gallons of hazardous chemicals.

That struck a chord with people in Dunsmuir. They either remember, or have heard stories, of the Cantara Loop Spill in July 1991 that dumped more than 19,000 gallons of toxic herbicide into the Sacramento River, killing fish, wildlife and plants for a more than 20-mile stretch to Shasta Lake.

Cantara Spill. In July 1991, a railroad train derailed at Cantara Loop four miles north of here. A tanker car fell into the river, broke open, and spilled a poisonous soil fumigant into the river. This toxic plume spread 40 miles downriver and killed virtually all the aquatic life in the river in its path. Scientists expected that full recovery from the effects of this spill could take decades, but to the surprise of many, the river recovered almost completely after only ten years. (Photo Credit: Jenny Coyle)

So the owners of Castle Rock Water Co., Kit and David Marshall, loaded a truck and trailer, donated by Uber, with bottled spring water and sent it on its journey, more than 2,500 miles, to East Palestine, Ohio.

Castle Rock Water Co., in Dunsmuir, Calif., loaded a truck and trailer, donated by Uber, with bottled spring water and sent it on its journey to more than 2,500 miles away to residents in East Palestine, Ohio on March 7, 2023. (KRCR)

They're doing it for a couple of reasons. "Partly, because of the memory that people have, here, about the pesticides spill from 30 years ago and they relate to it. And then, the other reason is, this is the best water in the world. It has won the best water in the world award. So it really, seriously is the best water," Kit said.

It's a partnership between Castle Rock and the City of Dunsmuir, City Manager Dustin Rief says, "The City of Dunsmuir, and the council, they're really excited about the opportunity to collaborate with Castle Rock Water and being able to support East Palestine and their tragedy. We've gone through the same tragedy, here. I wasn't here when that happened, but the stories...[are] starting to come out more and more as there's been more news media on the other side of the country."

The twin tragedies have forged a bond between two small communities that have a strong connection to railroads.

"The bonding has been so fun because—I, in fact, I just sent a message saying, 'the truck is here! It's on its way!' Of course, almost no one really hears about Dunsmuir, California. And yet, here we are with our hands across the country," Kit said.

KRCR's Mike Mangas waving 'goodbye' to a truck and trailer loaded with bottle spring water by Castle Rock Water Co. in Dunsmuir, Calif. for residents 2,500 miles away in E. Palestine, Ohio on March 7, 2023. (KRCR)

And so, away they went. Two drivers who will trade off expecting to deliver the water to East Palestine this Friday.

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