Real estate in San Mateo County is among the most valuable in the United States. Even small parcels can fetch millions. Yet, in East Palo Alto’s Ravenswood Business District, acres of land sit empty, their potential unrealized.  At first glance, these vacant lots appear to be prime real estate — offering stunning views of the Diablo Range to the east and the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west, with the San Francisco Bay Trail hugging the area’s eastern edge. But beneath the surface, remnants of the area’s industrial past linger. Arsenic, lead, cadmium, volatile organic compounds, and oil contaminate the soil and groundwater, rendering much of the district uninhabitable until extensive remediation is complete.

Other water quality and contamination news:

• The Daily Journal (San Mateo, Calif.): Redwood Life gambles with toxic waste
• ABC23 (Bakersfield): Residents alarmed by murky water in Arvin following pipeline issues