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U.S. EPA update to Paradise Valley, Ariz., residents during bottled water notice

Release Date: 01/18/2008
Contact Information: Lisa Fasano cell: 415-760-5421, office: 415-947-4307

SAN FRANCISCO – As a result of this week’s contamination of Paradise Valley water supplies, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the Maricopa County are working together to ensure drinking water meeting federal and state standards is served at all times.

U.S. EPA advises that due to the short term duration of the exposure, the public should not experience any adverse health affects from tap water that was consumed in the 24 hour period prior to notification and shutting down the system. This would apply to both children and adults consuming up to 6 liters of water per day when TCE levels may have exceeded federal drinking water standards. Nonetheless, residents with concerns regarding their particular health condition should consult their medical provider. The EPA has shared the sampling data on which this information is based with the ADEQ and Maricopa County.

Bottled water should continue to be used for drinking water purposes until otherwise advised by the Arizona DEQ. The public in the affected area can continue to use household water for bathing and landscaping.

The Miller Road treatment system has been shut down and will not resume operation until all needed safeguards are in place to the satisfaction of federal, state and local authorities.

Investigations are underway to determine exactly what happened and where the failures occurred. Everyone in this country is entitled to safe drinking water. The EPA, Arizona DEQ and Maricopa County are committed to ensuring the public receives drinking water that meet federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards, and that this failure does not recur.

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