Mercury contamination near Almaden valley concern for backyard farmer? (Santa Clara: house, school)

[rocko123]

My wife enjoys growing vegetables in the backyard, and our son enjoys playing with dirt in the backyard too.

We currently live in Santa Clara and recently we are looking for the near future possibility to move to a better school and more suburban area in the bay area, and Almaden valley seems like such an area that fits our affordable price range (around 800k).

However, I am quite concerned over what I read about the soil/water mercury contamination issue around the silver creek park. Since the underground water from bay area flows into the SF bay one way or another, and geographically Almaden valley is located downstream from silver creek park and almaden reservoir.

Does anyone have any insight on this issue? Is the level low enough in the general Almaden valley to be of any health concern? How close a house to silver creek park the mercury level starts to become a real concern? Is it not a good idea to grow and eat vegetables from local soil in the Almaden area or it is very safe? Has there been any scientific/systematic study of this issue to give some numbers?

Any input is appreciated!

[jbunniii]

Isn't Silver Creek Park in Silver Creek, not in Almaden Valley?

The mercury problem is caused by the old mining operation at what is now Almaden Quicksilver (aka mercury!) County Park, and as I understand it, within Almaden Valley, it primarily affects the Los Alamitos Creek (along the eastern edge of the valley) and Almaden Lake.

Almaden Lake has the dubious distinction of the highest mercury levels of any lake in the state of California. Both the lake and creek have signs advising people not to eat fish caught therein.

I don't know about the soil in Almaden Valley overall, but if you live in a house that backs onto the creek (as I do), it's probably not a great idea to eat produce grown in your back yard.

[rocko123]

Thank you for the input! And sorry yeah I meant to say quicksilver park.