Log in

Protect Queen Creek’s water and wastewater infrastructure

Don't flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper, town says

Posted 3/23/20

In this time of uncertainty and misinformation, the Town of Queen Creek's Utilities Department is sharing information for customers regarding the spread of COVID-19.

The town has taken precautions …

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

To Our Valued Readers –

Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.

For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.

Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.

Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.

Sincerely,
Charlene Bisson, Publisher, Independent Newsmedia

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor

Protect Queen Creek’s water and wastewater infrastructure

Don't flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper, town says

Posted

In this time of uncertainty and misinformation, the Town of Queen Creek's Utilities Department is sharing information for customers regarding the spread of COVID-19.

The town has taken precautions to ensure the health and wellbeing of staff who operate these systems is protected and maintained. These measures will ensure the systems continue functioning through this difficult time, according to a release.

"The Town of Queen Creek is committed to providing the highest quality of water and service during this unprecedented time. We remain vigilant in meeting and exceeding standards for source water protection and community education while continuing to serve the needs of all our water users," the release states.

Do continue to drink tap water

Queen Creek Water, like all municipal water suppliers, uses chlorine for disinfection. Chlorine is extremely effective in removing and killing pathogens and viruses, including the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Your tap water is safe to drink. Tap water in Queen Creek is on a groundwater system, meaning, the water is stored underground, pumped into tanks, and is not exposed to air.

Additional information about your drinking water, including Queen Creek’s annual Water Quality Reports, is available on the Drinking Water webpage. More information on the safety of drinking water amid the coronavirus pandemic is also available on the EPA’s website.

Don't flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper

Don't flush any paper products other than toilet paper. Flushing anything other than toilet paper and human waste can cause blockages and damage to sewer systems. If it's not toilet paper, throw it away in a trash can.

Commercially available “flushable” baby wipes do not break down in the sewer system and can cause costly backups into your home or street and can significantly impact the wastewater treatment infrastructure.

Queen Creek is already adjusting operational procedures and increasing inspections and screening at its treatment plants, but customers have to be aware that the real threat of sewer system blockages is in the connections leading into residents’ homes and in the collection system in their streets.

If you have to use something besides toilet paper, it must be bagged and tied and placed in your trash cart.

Don’t flush these items:

  • Paper towels
  • Disinfecting wipes
  • “Flushable" wipes
  • Tissues
  • Disposable diapers
  • Cotton balls and swabs
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Unused medications
  • Condoms
  • Cleaning wipes of any kind, including personal wipes
  • Bandages and bandage wrappings
  • Contact lenses

No water disconnection or late fees

To assist residents, the town is suspending late fees and service disconnections until further notice (services will continue to be billed).

Pay online or over the phone

Residents have four convenient ways to pay their utility bill:

  • Online: QueenCreek.org/BillPay
  • Phone: 480-358-3480
  • Mail: Town of Queen Creek, PO Box 64748, Phoenix, AZ 85082-4748
  • Drop off:  22350 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek (drop box on south side of building)

Questions? Call 480-358-3450.

Do conserve where you can

The Town of Queen Creek offers many resources for residents to help conserve water. Visit QueenCreek.org/ConserveTheQC for additional resources.

For more information related to the Town's actions to help slow the spread of COVID-19, visit QueenCreek.org/COVID-19.