Reused water draws scrutiny at Santa Clara County play fountains
After a nasty parasite outbreak at the play fountain at San Jose's Plaza de Cesar Chavez sickened at least seven children last summer, the fountain remains closed at least until July, with repairs expected to cost about $600,000. And a similar fountain at McEnery Park remains off limits indefinitely because there's no money budgeted to fix it.
As Santa Clara County health officials continue to scrutinize the county's play fountains, the scope of the repairs is coming into sharp focus as summer nears and kids start eyeing their swimsuits.
"Every time I see the estimates, I need dental surgery because my jaw hits the ground," said Councilman Sam Liccardo, whose district includes both the Cesar Chavez and McEnery fountains.
