Remote Surveillance Trailer in Merced, CA

Temperatures in the 90s are nothing new to the northern San Joaquin Valley. But having them in March, as expected this week, is unusual and potentially dangerous.

An exceptionally strong ridge of high pressure will bring record-breaking heat to the entire region, the National Weather Service said. Temperatures in the San Joaquin Valley are likely to reach 90 degrees by Tuesday and 95 by Friday. That's 20 to 25 degrees above normal.

UC Merced experts explained why such heat now, when it's still technically winter, is more hazardous than the same temperatures later in the year.

"If the forecasts come to fruition, we will be in for a March heat wave with temperatures 20-30 degrees above normal - an event without precedent in the modern era," said climatologist Professor John Abatzoglou. "This comes on the heels of the warmest or second-warmest winter since at least 1895 for a huge portion of the western U.S."

While these temperatures are not near the triple digits the area routinely sees in July and August, early-season heat waves can have outsize impacts.

"First, people are not acclimated to the heat yet, as they would be in mid-summer, which increases the risk of heat impacts on human health," Abatzoglou said. People who are sensitive to heat are advised to avoid being outside during the warmest hours of the day. Everyone should use sunscreen and stay hydrated.

Unusually hot temperatures may also impact the agricultural sector, affecting both outdoor workers and crops that are flowering or fruiting, Abatzoglou said.

Lauren Parker, managing director of Secure Water Future at UC Merced, has extensively studied how heat can affect agriculture.

"In orchard crops that might still be blooming, heat exposure can reduce fruit set as a function of effects on pollen quality and pollinator activity," she said. "Fruit set" is the process in which a flower is successfully pollenated before becoming a fruit. "Crops also need more water when it is hot. Water stress during early or young fruit stages can cause trees to reallocate resources away from young fruit, aborting some fruit development and ultimately lowering yields."

Growers could use more water to irrigate early in the season, leaving the sources depleted in the summer months.

"That has real dollar implications for their energy and water consumption - especially if this is a harbinger of heat waves to come," Parker said.

Early heat waves like this one could exacerbate and lengthen wildfire seasons, which already are overlapping globally, new research co-authored by Abatzoglou and postdoctoral researcher Cong Yin shows.

Early heat will deplete the snowpack much of California relies on for its water. According to the state Department of Water Resources, the statewide snowpack has been melting an average of 1 % a day since early March. Generally, the snowpack lasts well into the spring.

"While fuels are not yet widely available to carry fire, this heat wave will accelerate the drying of vegetation and the melt-off of the remaining Sierra snowpack, pushing us closer to fire season," Abatzoglou said.

Students can develop life-saving skills at the school or via elearning with immediate results.

Merced, California--(Newsfile Corp. - March 16, 2026) - Safety Training Seminars, a trusted provider of life-saving education throughout California, is proud to announce the opening of its newest training location in Merced. The new CPR, BLS, ACLS, and First-Aid Certification School is now open at 755 E Yosemite Ave, Suite M3, Merced, CA 95340, bringing high-quality, hands-on safety training directly to the heart of Merced County.

Safety Training Seminars Opens a New CPR Certification School in Merced, CA

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The Merced CPR training center is designed to serve healthcare professionals, students, teachers, childcare providers, construction workers, and community members who need reliable, efficient certification options. The CPR classes are taught by experienced instructors and focus on real-world skills, confidence building, and practical application. Flexible scheduling, including weekday and weekend courses, makes it easier than ever for busy professionals and families to get certified locally.

Safety Training Seminars has built a strong reputation for delivering engaging, stress-free classes that meet workplace and regulatory requirements while maintaining a supportive learning environment. The new Merced location reflects the company's continued commitment to expanding access to essential emergency training in growing communities.

"Opening a school in Merced County is something we are truly excited about," said Laura Seidel, Owner of Safety Training Seminars. "This community deserves convenient access to professional safety training without having to travel long distances. Our goal is to support local healthcare workers, businesses, and residents by providing high-quality classes that empower people to respond confidently in emergencies."

The Merced facility offers modern equipment, small class sizes, and same-day CPR certification cards upon successful completion. Courses are ideal for both first-time students and those renewing expiring credentials.

With this expansion, Safety Training Seminars continues its mission of making life-saving CPR education accessible, practical, and community-focused. Residents and organizations throughout Merced County can now train close to home while receiving the same trusted instruction the company is known for statewide.

About Safety Training Seminars

Safety Training Seminars provides CPR, BLS, ACLS, and First Aid certification courses in Merced. Their certified classes offer flexible scheduling, hands-on skills testing, and same-day certification, serving healthcare professionals, students, and the local community.

For more information, please visit .

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288674

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Merced County, California is located in the San Joaquin Valley and includes the cities of Merced, Atwater, Livingston and more. For the past several years, multiple water contamination lawsuits have been filed throughout the county. The majority of these lawsuits claim that drinking water in Merced County has been contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals” due to their inability to break down in the body.

Merced County, California Water Contamination Overview

Merced County, California was formed in 1855 and derives its name from the Merced River, originally called the River of Our Lady of Mercy, when explorer Gabriel Moraga came upon it after the end of a long expedition. Today, Merced County is California’s fifth-leading agricultural county and is known as the “Gateway to Yosemite National Park.”

Although the county offers an array of attractions like Lake Yosemite, the Merced National Wildlife Refuge, and a charming historic downtown, the area has struggled with contaminated drinking water throughout the region. Cities like Atwater, for example, have dealt with with water contamination from industrial activities and the local military base, Castle Air Force Base.

Merced County Water Contamination Lawsuit Updates

Over the last few years, several cities throughout Merced County have filed lawsuits against various manufacturers of PFAS, accusing the companies of negligence by contaminating the water with these toxic forever chemicals.

Individuals exposed to contaminated water may develop serious health conditions such as liver cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, kidney cancer, thyroid disease, or ulcerative colitis. If you’ve been exposed to toxic water in Merced County, California for at least 1 year and developed one of these health conditions, contact King Law today to confirm your eligibility and discuss your legal options.

About Merced County, California Water Contamination:

History of Water Contamination in Merced County, California

Learn more about the history of Merced County water contamination:

Sources of Water Contamination in Merced County

Some key sources of water contamination in Merced County, CA include:

Industrial facilities and related activities: Merced County was home to a cooling tower manufacturing facility that used pressure-treated wood to make the cooling tower frames. The wood was treated with a solution of chromium, copper and arsenic, which contaminated the soil at the site. This contaminated soil then allowed those toxic chemicals into groundwater in the area.

Military bases: The Castle Air Force Base, located in Atwater in Merced County, California, was a prominent source of PFAS contamination. For decades, training often required the use of firefighting foam to extinguish fires, which would then seep into the groundwater and put residents at risk for serious health conditions.

Agricultural activities: Agricultural pesticides manufactured by companies like Shell and Dow contaminated several wells throughout Merced County.

Naturally-occurring contaminants: Erosion of natural deposits can lead to some contaminants in drinking water, including arsenic, radium, and uranium.

Merced County, California Water Contamination Map

Water quality reports show that cities throughout Merced County have been over the limit for at least one type of PFAS. Reference our Merced County water contamination map to learn more about the areas where PFAS have been detected as well as areas where levels have exceeded safety standards.

Contaminants Found in Merced County Drinking Water

The drinking water in Merced County, California has tested positive for the following contaminants:

PFAS are used in products like non-stick pots and pans and to make items like clothes and carpets resistant to stains, oil and water. They’re also used in firefighting foam to extinguish fires. In cities like Atwater, which was awarded $63 million in a water contamination lawsuit back in 2022 against Shell Oil Company, PFAS were found in the groundwater due to Shell applying TCP-containing nematicide to agricultural lands around the city.

Since these chemicals increase in the environment and the body over time, they are associated with serious health risks associated, including the following:

Drinking water in cities throughout Merced County were found to have high levels of arsenic. In Livingston, for example, arsenic was found in tap water at 2,392 times above the EWG’s Health Guideline, while arsenic in Atwater drinking water was found at levels 1,018 times above the Health Guideline.

Arsenic can be found in groundwater from pesticides, herbicides and insecticides, but it also appears naturally in many minerals, soil and bedrock.

Exposure to arsenic from consuming contaminated drinking water with high concentrations can cause serious health issues like cancer, neurological problems, damage to the skin, diabetes, cardiovascular and pulmonary disease, and circulatory problems.

In the city of Merced, drinking water was found to contain nitrate at 22 times above EWG’s Health Guideline. Nitrate may contaminate drinking water due to agricultural and urban runoff after it’s been applied as a fertilizer chemical to surrounding lands. Nitrate has been linked to cancer and can harm fetal growth and development in children.

Chromium can contaminate groundwater when it’s used in certain industries, such as a coolant at electrical power stations. It may also occur naturally in some areas. Exposure to chromium can damage the liver and reproductive systems. In Atwater in Merced County, chromium levels were found at 137 times above the EWG’s Health Guideline.

1,2,3 Trichloropropane was historically used as soil fumigant in some agricultural regions, including areas throughout Merced County. This potent carcinogen was found at 262 times above the EWG’s Health Guideline in Livingston, and levels were found at 60 times above the Health Guideline in Atwater.

Current Water Quality in Merced County, California

Throughout Merced County, California, the quality of the drinking water is currently in compliance with the EPA’s health-based drinking water standards. However, contaminants were found in several cities to exceed the EWG’s Health Guideline.

In Merced County, California, Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA) have been actively implementing Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP) to ensure groundwater basins are in compliance with the requirements outlined in the 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. This includes ensuring the limiting degradation of the water quality.

Additionally, the cities of Merced, Atwater, Livingston, Merced County and the Merced Irrigation District joined together to create the Merced Integrated Regional Water Management program to identify water management issues and objectives to meet the needs of the Merced Region. The program aims to create projects that address regional water needs like groundwater and water quality.

Health Risks and Symptoms Linked to Drinking Water in Merced County

Exposure to contaminants like arsenic, chromium and PFAS in Merced County, California drinking water may lead to an array of serious health conditions, including:

If you’ve been exposed to contaminated drinking water, it’s essential to schedule regular health check-ups and screenings to help lower the risk of future complications and manage any serious conditions. If you are experiencing symptoms, contact a health provider as soon as possible.

Eligibility Criteria for the Merced County Water Contamination Lawsuit

If you’ve been diagnosed with serious health conditions due to consuming contaminated water in Merced County, California, you may be eligible for compensation through a PFAS lawsuit.

To be eligible for a Merced County water contamination lawsuit, the following criteria must be met:

These factors play a vital role in establishing compensation eligibility and strengthening an individual’s legal case. Attorneys with expertise, like those at King Law, can provide consultations to guide you through the legal process effectively.

Merced County Water Contamination Settlement and Payout Amounts

Certain factors can influence settlement amounts for Merced County water contamination lawsuits. For example, the extent of the exposure, the impact on the individual’s overall health, and how long the individual was exposed to the contaminated water while living or working in the area all play a role.

In the past, most water contamination lawsuits have been settled between $30,000 to $300,000, with most lawsuits often settled within a range of $100,000 to $300,000. If the injuries are minor or there’s less proof of connection to drinking contaminated water in the municipality, one might see a settlement between $30,000 to $75,000. However, some cases involving more severe health conditions may result in settlements exceeding $300,000. Some exceptional cases could see settlements near or exceed one million dollars.

Those affected by Merced County water contamination should seek advice from legal experts to understand their options and potential for compensation.

How to File a Merced County Water Contamination Lawsuit

Eligibility for a personal injury lawsuit related to water contamination in Merced County, California involves a detailed and structured process, requiring specific documentation and adherence to local legal considerations. Follow these steps to help navigate this complex legal journey:

Contact King Law today to set up a consultation for your Merced County water contamination claim. We understand the complexities California law involves, and we can help navigate the unique considerations for Merced County water contamination lawsuits.

You can increase your chances of receiving fair compensation if you can provide strong evidence to substantiate claims in Merced County, California water contamination cases. To improve your case, gather and present the following documentation:

Compiling this comprehensive evidence can help strengthen your case and improve your chances of a favorable outcome.

Statute of Limitations for Merced County Water Contamination Claims

Understanding California’s statute of limitations is crucial when filing a water contamination lawsuit. Victims must file their claim within a specific timeframe to be eligible for compensation; missing this deadline can result in disqualification from receiving compensation. In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those related to toxic exposure, is typically two years from the date of diagnosis.

You will need ample time to compile all the essential evidence to build and strengthen your water contamination case. Consulting with an attorney who specializes in environmental or personal injury law as soon as possible is imperative due to these varying deadlines. A lawyer will help you avoid losing eligibility by ensuring all the necessary steps are completed before the filing deadline.

Merced County Water Contamination Lawyers

King Law specializes in water contamination lawsuits in Merced County, California, particularly those involving PFAS and other harmful chemicals in those local drinking water. Because our team is well-versed in environmental law, we understand the complexities involved with toxic exposure cases. We are here to support you through every stage of the process, from evaluating the validity of your claim to offering strong legal representation in court. We understand the serious implications water contamination can have on your health and overall wellbeing, and we are dedicated to helping you secure the compensation you deserve.

At King Law, we are committed to guiding our clients through this challenging journey, offering the legal experience and assistance you need to build a compelling case. If you’ve been impacted by water contamination in Merced County, having experienced legal representation by your side can be vital in achieving justice and obtaining the compensation you need.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Learn more about the Merced County, California water contamination with these frequently asked questions.