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News
Apache Junction water quality report available; says arsenic sample not turned in
Posted
The Apache Junction Water District 2020 water quality report is available.
The report can be accessed at ajwaterdistrict.org/water-quality-reports-2 or customers can request a printed copy by calling 480-982-6030 or by email at webmailwater@apachejunctionaz.gov, according to a release.
The annual report, also known as the consumer confidence report, provides detailed information about the quality of drinking water supplied by the water district.
Following compliance standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the report describes what drinking water contaminants were tested for, detected, and their levels of detection during the calendar year of 2020.
The water district is required to monitor the drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not the drinking water meets health standards, the report states.
Missed monitoring violation
During the fourth quarter of 2020, AJWD had a missed monitoring violation for arsenic — the fourth quarter sample for 2020 was not taken, the report states.
“ADEQ requires the results be reported no later than 10 days after the end of the monitoring period. Since the sample was never turned in, the system received a missed monitoring violation from ADEQ. The first quarter (arsenic) sample for 2021 was taken and the system is back in compliance,” the report states. “Long-term exposure to arsenic can cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems. Your drinking water met all drinking water standards during this time.”
The Apache Junction Water District supplies well water — groundwater — pumped from the Eastern Salt River Sub-Basin Aquifer which flows southwesterly under Apache Junction and its surrounding areas. The groundwater is treated for arsenic removal where necessary, disinfected with chlorine, pumped into storage tanks and blended with Colorado River surface water. The surface water is transported through the Central Arizona Project canal system and filtered and purified at the Superstition Area Water Plant before being introduced into the distribution system. AJWD can also receive CAP water from the city of Mesa’s Brown Road Treatment Plant and delivered through an interconnect for a backup supply of water, if needed, the report states.
