SAN TAN VALLEY, AZ — A water quality advisory was issued last week after discharge of recycled water into Queen Creek.
According to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the advisory was issued on January 11 after EPCOR utilities notified the department of a spill of treated water on January 6. A controlled release was also scheduled for the following day.
An inspector went Johnson Utilities Pecan Water Reclamation Plant in San Tan Valley to take samples. Those samples have yielded preliminary results, showing the water is meeting E. coli surface water quality standards. Nitrogen and other contaminant test results are not yet available.
On January 15, EPCOR said the release of water would continue “intermittently” due to wet weather. They estimate there has been a total release of nearly 12 million gallons.
The company is working with local irrigation districts and farmers to increase recycled water usage in an effort to avoid future flows.
ADEQ says there has not been a release of untreated sewage into the environment and that Johnson Utilities water systems are not impacted.
Recycled water is commonly used in non-potable ways and people are generally advised to avoid contact with it.
ADEQ says while the water tested is within safe limits, people are urged to avoid contact with the water and contact a doctor if you experience symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea after coming in contact with the water.
