High arsenic levels found in two Douglas wells


Published/Last Modified on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 11:35 PM MDT


During regular testing of Douglas drinking water, it was discovered that the arsenic level in two wells were beyond acceptable levels.


During testing in the first quarter of this year, it was discovered that the arsenic level in Well 7 was 17 parts per billion and Well 14 was 27 parts per billion (located on 11th Street and H Avenue and Highway 80 & Copper Drive) which does not comply with the current Arsenic MCL of 10 parts per billion.     

“While the water delivered by the City of Douglas does not meet the Safe Drinking Water standard for arsenic, it does not represent an immediate health risk and there is no need to use an alternative water supply (bottled water),” according to a statement from the City of Douglas.

The long-term exposure to arsenic via drinking water causes cancer of the skin, lungs, urinary bladder, and kidney as well as other skin changes such as pigmentation changes and thickening.

Arsenic is an element found naturally in rocks, water, plants, and animals.  It is also used by industries as a wood preservative and in the manufacturing process of paints, drugs, dyes, soaps, metals and semi-conductors.        In August 2008, the City’s Arsenic Evaluation Report was completed in an effort to assist the City in developing strategies that would enable the City of Douglas to achieve full compliance with the new arsenic standard.

In October 2008, the city completed the drilling of a new water production well (Well 16) that will replace one of the existing water wells (Well 14) with high levels of arsenic.  Well 16 is scheduled to be operational by this summer.     

Test results are available for public review with the City of Douglas, Public Works Department, located at 425 10th Street, Douglas, Arizona. 

If you have any questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact Mr. Carlos A. De La Torre, Public Works Director/City Engineer at (520) 417-7329.

 

Copyright © 2010 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    Guitar Picker wrote on Jul 5, 2009 10:05 AM:

    " What about those Border Patrol officers who got seriously sick from arsenic and lead dust four years ago. They were dragging tires by the old smelter site. It is time Phelps Dodge Co. cleans up that mess they left. "

    I Am Worried wrote on Jul 4, 2009 12:27 PM:

    " The levels were lowered for a reason. People with small children should be worried... How come it took the city a year to let the public know and only after they are about to complete one of the new wells? Is that to soften the impact? We know one of the people who comes to test the water and he advised us years ago not to drink the water! "

    Not worried wrote on Jul 1, 2009 3:52 PM:

    " The levels are high because the EPA lowered the arsenic MCL from 50ppb to 10 ppb. I've lived here all of my life, and I'm not worried. "

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