A $13 million windfall in the 2006 Department of Defense spending bill for perchlorate cleanup is a double blessing for local communities.

Not only will it mean safe drinking water in the region, but it also should prevent higher utility bills.

That alone should get twice the thanks from customers in Rialto, Colton, Fontana and surrounding unincorporated areas.

Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, both California Democrats, are to be congratulated for successfully holding the Defense Department accountable for water pollution it caused.

The federal money will be split evenly by Rialto, Colton, the Fontana Water Co. and the West Valley Water District.

Perchlorate, used in manufacturing rocket fuel, munitions and fireworks, was stored in Defense Department bunkers during the 1950 and 1960s at what is now the West Valley Sanitary Landfill. The chemical, which is believed to cause thyroid problems, particularly in infants, forced the shutdown of numerous wells. Some are being treated, but many are out of service.

And though it takes $1 million per well to install filtration equipment, and $350,000 to $500,000 a year to maintain the resin filters, the
$13 million coming from the feds is a good start to cleaning up area contamination.

Especially when the water agencies had asked for $10 million.

It's been an ongoing battle to get responsible parties to even ackowledge their role, let alone clean up and pay for the mess.

The senator's efforts in this regard are to be appreciated, especially if it keeps water bills lower.

Fontana customers can be especially grateful, since perchlorate cleanup had been used as the basis for two exorbitant rate hikes proposed by the Fontana Water Co.

Thanks to the senators, that argument has been erased.