The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality — the state’s watchdog that oversees areas such as drinking water — recently conducted tests in the Village of Oak Creek.

In May, officials conducted a preliminary investigation to test for tetrachloroethene, a man-made solvent commonly used in the dry cleaning process and as a degreaser in many industrial applications.

“There was a preliminary investigation done after a municipal water company sampled one of their wells in the area and detected very low levels tetrachloroethene,” ADEQ spokesperson Erin Jordan said. “These levels are not above the threshold of the Safe Drinking Water standards. The water system is in compliance and providing healthy drinking water to customers.”

She continued, “Out of an abundance of caution, ADEQ is investigating further with plans to sample private wells in the area. ADEQ will determine any potential action based on data collected.”

According to ADEQ, when the department becomes aware of a suspected release of a hazardous substance, an investigation may be conducted to confirm the release and determine if the site is eligible for cleanup using funds from the Water Quality Assurance Revolving Fund. The investigation is a screening level analysis that primarily uses existing data. Limited field investigations such as groundwater well sampling may be conducted.

As to why ADEQ conducted a preliminary investigation, it was to see if there was a possible release of tetrachloroethene to groundwater at the Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock site, which is located near Cathedral Rock Drive and Bell Rock Boulevard.

A document sent out in May states, “Site boundaries have not yet been established, as the exact extent of the contamination is not known. Tetrachloroethene has been detected in low concentrations in a municipal water well in the area. While these concentrations do not exceed the Aquifer Water Quality Standard for tetrachloroethene of 5.0 micrograms per liter, multiple private wells exist in the area which have not been sampled. The origin of the tetrachloroethene is currently unknown.”

The information went on to say that the evaluation of this area does not necessarily represent a determination that the release of a hazardous substance at the site poses a threat to human health or the environment.
There are multiple privately owned domestic water wells within the site.

“People who drink water containing tetrachloroethene over many years could experience problems with their liver and may have an increased risk of cancer,” the document states. “ADEQ is concerned that privately owned domestic supply wells may be impacted by groundwater contamination near the site. Water provided in the area by the Arizona Water and Big Park Water Companies meet all federal and state drinking water standards.”

The report concluded by stating the costs of preliminary investigation are paid by ADEQ using funds from
WQARF.

“You do not need to do anything at this time, however, you may be contacted if access is needed,” it states. “If you own a drinking water well in the area and would like your well tested for tetrachloroethene, please feel free to contact us.”

Ron Eland can be reached at 282-7795 ext. 122 or email reland@larsonnewspapers.com