BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The City of Bakersfield is suing Griffin Resources LLC, which owns and operates nearly 130 oil wells in Kern and Kings counties.
Griffin is under investigation for causing Bakersfield’s water contamination in June, which led to a days-long do-not-drink, do-not-use advisory. Some oil wells are located right across the street from Griffin’s crude oil storage facility site on Truxtun Avenue and Mohawk Street, where the water contamination issue started.
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The central Bakersfield pipe has had leakage issues since 2019.
The lawsuit lists complaints for damages of negligence vicarious liability, trespass to municipal water systems and public nuisance.
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A copy of the complaint obtained by 17 News reveals the cost of water contamination is expected to exceed $150,000. The City expects to recover that amount from Griffin for any reimbursements the City makes to businesses affected by the contamination.