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U.S. EPA orders 19 Arizona towns to monitor drinking water

Release Date: 10/2/2003
Contact Information: Laura Gentile, Press Office, 415/947-4227

     Public water systems failed to monitor for lead and copper

     SAN FRANCISCO - Recently the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ordered 22 small public water systems in 19 towns across Arizona to monitor their drinking water for lead and copper, as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act.

      The water systems, which serve populations that range in size from 25 to 400 people, are listed at the end of this press release.

      The systems are required to monitor the drinking water in local homes once before Dec. 15 2003 and once before June 2004.  Failure to monitor could result in fines of up to $27,500 per day.

     "Drinking water systems must ensure the drinking water they provide to customers is safe at all times," said Alexis Strauss, director of EPA's Water Division.  "When public water systems fail to conduct required monitoring, we cannot determine if it's safe to drink.  Protecting public health is our top priority."

     Since 1992, the EPA has required public water systems to monitor drinking water regularly for lead and copper.  If contaminants are detected, systems are required to correct the problem through treatment or pipe replacement.    
 
     There are 650 public water systems serving small communities in Arizona that are required to monitor drinking water for lead and copper.  The systems serving 100 or more people are required to monitor at least ten homes.  Systems serving fewer than 100 people are required to monitor at least five homes.
     
      The EPA has determined that lead and copper can pose a health concern at certain exposure levels.  Relatively low levels of lead can cause high blood pressure and kidney problems in adults.  In children and infants, lead has been linked to delays in physical and mental development, including learning disabilities.  Copper can cause liver and kidney damage at elevated levels.

The 22 water systems, their locations, and the populations served are as follows:

The Roosevelt Lake Resort water system serves 150 people in Roosevelt. The Bidegain Water system serves 49 people in Kearny. The Yavapai Country Club water system serves 25 people in Peeples Valley. The Safeway Center water system serves 100 people in Chino Valley.

The Leslie Canyon Water User water system serves 60 people in Douglas. The Meadows of Wickenburg water system serves 170 people in Wickenburg. The Lucky Trailer Park del Sol and the G&L Mobile Park water systems each serve 90 people in Yuma.

The La Posada RV Mobile Park water system serves 100 people in San Luis. The Sonoita Valley Water Company, Sonoita Water Utility, and Southern Water Company water systems serve 40, 35, and 125 people in Sonoita, respectively. The Strawberry Water Company water system serves 92 people in Strawberry. The Winchester Trails water system serves 270 people in Vernon.

The Wilderness water system serves 400 people in Show Low. The Hopeville Community Water Company water system in Buckeye serves 263 people. The New Saddleback Vista DWID water system serves 95 people in Maricopa. The City of Surprise water system serves 30 people in Surprise.  

The Joshua Hills Water Company water system serves 400 people in Dolan Springs. The Rillito Water Users Association water system serves 213 people in Rillito. The Beaver Dam III water system serves 25 people in Mesquite City. The Star Valley Motel MH and RV water system serves 90 people in Star Valley.