Sludge Watch ==> Prescott AZ - Meeting on Water and Sludge Contamination Issues

[Maureen Reilly]

Water group hears about water contaminant issues By Joanna Dodder Nellans, 
The Daily Courier


Monday, April 14, 2008

PRESCOTT - A state official will talk about the latest research on chemicals 
in water during a meeting Wednesday in Prescott.

The topic has been a local issue recently, after the Sierra Club asked 
Prescott and Prescott Valley to stop dumping sludge near waterways.

Chuck Graf of the Arizona Department of Water Quality and Arizona Water 
Institute will speak to the Yavapai County Water Advisory Committee at its 2 
p.m. Wednesday meeting at the county administration building, 1015 Fair St. 
in Prescott.






The agenda also includes discussion of a legislative bill that gives the 
City of Williams an exception to state law so it can continue to use Verde 
River Basin groundwater after it accidentally drilled wells in it.

The committee will consider whether to allow staff members to join ad-hoc 
discussions about how three government-based water groups in the county can 
work together - this committee, the Verde River Basin Partnership and the 
Upper Verde River Watershed Protection Coalition.

Chairs from these water groups and other officials met this past week to 
talk about regional unity in relation to the water groups, said Clarkdale 
Mayor Doug Von Gausig, who organized the meeting.

The Verde Watershed Association conducts monthly meetings preceding the 
water committee meetings. At 10 a.m. Wednesday at the same location, the 
Watershed Association will hear a presentation from Ed Wolfe titled "Big 
Chino - Its Role and Limitations as a Regional Water Resource."

After hearing Graf's presentation, the county water committee plans to 
discuss the "emerging contaminants" water issue and possibly take action.

"Emerging contaminants" refers to chemicals that governments and water 
companies don't commonly monitor in the environment, even though they have 
the potential to cause adverse ecological or human health effects. They 
include prescription drugs and household cleaners.

Sources of these contaminants in natural waterways include municipal 
effluent and sludge.

Recent research indicates effluent, for example, can feminize male fish, 
according to background materials for Wednesday's meeting. Other research 
shows that sheep reared on pastures containing sludge have disrupted 
cellular development and hormonal functions.

The water committee's members include municipalities that recharge treated 
wastewater back into local aquifers and riverbeds, and dispose of municipal 
sludge on agricultural fields in floodplains.

The company that disposes of sludge for Prescott and Prescott Valley has 
received at least one violation notice from the Department of Environmental 
Quality.

The Sierra Club recently asked the municipalities to stop dumping their 
sludge on sites near waterways. The contactor currently uses four sites near 
the Verde River, Ash Creek and Big Chino Wash.

In response to further questions from The Daily Courier, a Prescott Valley 
representative stated that the local governments would let the state decide 
what sites are appropriate as long as the sites are meeting regulations.

The contractor apparently has taken remedial action at the Ash Creek site.

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Owens has refused 
to allow The Daily Courier to speak to the inspector who issued the notice 
of violation.

That same inspector notified the same contractor about "potential 
deficiencies" that could lead to a notice of violation at its Big Chino Wash 
site about a mile above the Verde River headwaters.

Contact the reporter at jdodder at prescottaz.com


Water group hears about water contaminant issues By Joanna Dodder Nellans, 
The Daily Courier



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Monday, April 14, 2008

PRESCOTT - A state official will talk about the latest research on chemicals 
in water during a meeting Wednesday in Prescott.

The topic has been a local issue recently, after the Sierra Club asked 
Prescott and Prescott Valley to stop dumping sludge near waterways.

Chuck Graf of the Arizona Department of Water Quality and Arizona Water 
Institute will speak to the Yavapai County Water Advisory Committee at its 2 
p.m. Wednesday meeting at the county administration building, 1015 Fair St. 
in Prescott.






The agenda also includes discussion of a legislative bill that gives the 
City of Williams an exception to state law so it can continue to use Verde 
River Basin groundwater after it accidentally drilled wells in it.

The committee will consider whether to allow staff members to join ad-hoc 
discussions about how three government-based water groups in the county can 
work together - this committee, the Verde River Basin Partnership and the 
Upper Verde River Watershed Protection Coalition.

Chairs from these water groups and other officials met this past week to 
talk about regional unity in relation to the water groups, said Clarkdale 
Mayor Doug Von Gausig, who organized the meeting.

The Verde Watershed Association conducts monthly meetings preceding the 
water committee meetings. At 10 a.m. Wednesday at the same location, the 
Watershed Association will hear a presentation from Ed Wolfe titled "Big 
Chino - Its Role and Limitations as a Regional Water Resource."

After hearing Graf's presentation, the county water committee plans to 
discuss the "emerging contaminants" water issue and possibly take action.

"Emerging contaminants" refers to chemicals that governments and water 
companies don't commonly monitor in the environment, even though they have 
the potential to cause adverse ecological or human health effects. They 
include prescription drugs and household cleaners.

Sources of these contaminants in natural waterways include municipal 
effluent and sludge.

Recent research indicates effluent, for example, can feminize male fish, 
according to background materials for Wednesday's meeting. Other research 
shows that sheep reared on pastures containing sludge have disrupted 
cellular development and hormonal functions.

The water committee's members include municipalities that recharge treated 
wastewater back into local aquifers and riverbeds, and dispose of municipal 
sludge on agricultural fields in floodplains.

The company that disposes of sludge for Prescott and Prescott Valley has 
received at least one violation notice from the Department of Environmental 
Quality.

The Sierra Club recently asked the municipalities to stop dumping their 
sludge on sites near waterways. The contactor currently uses four sites near 
the Verde River, Ash Creek and Big Chino Wash.

In response to further questions from The Daily Courier, a Prescott Valley 
representative stated that the local governments would let the state decide 
what sites are appropriate as long as the sites are meeting regulations.

The contractor apparently has taken remedial action at the Ash Creek site.

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Owens has refused 
to allow The Daily Courier to speak to the inspector who issued the notice 
of violation.

That same inspector notified the same contractor about "potential 
deficiencies" that could lead to a notice of violation at its Big Chino Wash 
site about a mile above the Verde River headwaters.

Contact the reporter at jdodder at prescottaz.com
Water group hears about water contaminant issues By Joanna Dodder Nellans, 
The Daily Courier



Printable Version
E-mail this story

Top Local News Stories:
•Wilhoit burglary suspect caught on video footage
•ADOT plans overpass opening this week
•Illegal immigrants were camping as church group
•Paper announces new deadlines for 'Scene' material
•Healthy Families helps mothers deal with infants
•Program teaches new moms never to shake a baby
•Police arrest Prescott Valley man for graffiti

» View All Local News
Monday, April 14, 2008

PRESCOTT - A state official will talk about the latest research on chemicals 
in water during a meeting Wednesday in Prescott.

The topic has been a local issue recently, after the Sierra Club asked 
Prescott and Prescott Valley to stop dumping sludge near waterways.

Chuck Graf of the Arizona Department of Water Quality and Arizona Water 
Institute will speak to the Yavapai County Water Advisory Committee at its 2 
p.m. Wednesday meeting at the county administration building, 1015 Fair St. 
in Prescott.






The agenda also includes discussion of a legislative bill that gives the 
City of Williams an exception to state law so it can continue to use Verde 
River Basin groundwater after it accidentally drilled wells in it.

The committee will consider whether to allow staff members to join ad-hoc 
discussions about how three government-based water groups in the county can 
work together - this committee, the Verde River Basin Partnership and the 
Upper Verde River Watershed Protection Coalition.

Chairs from these water groups and other officials met this past week to 
talk about regional unity in relation to the water groups, said Clarkdale 
Mayor Doug Von Gausig, who organized the meeting.

The Verde Watershed Association conducts monthly meetings preceding the 
water committee meetings. At 10 a.m. Wednesday at the same location, the 
Watershed Association will hear a presentation from Ed Wolfe titled "Big 
Chino - Its Role and Limitations as a Regional Water Resource."

After hearing Graf's presentation, the county water committee plans to 
discuss the "emerging contaminants" water issue and possibly take action.

"Emerging contaminants" refers to chemicals that governments and water 
companies don't commonly monitor in the environment, even though they have 
the potential to cause adverse ecological or human health effects. They 
include prescription drugs and household cleaners.

Sources of these contaminants in natural waterways include municipal 
effluent and sludge.

Recent research indicates effluent, for example, can feminize male fish, 
according to background materials for Wednesday's meeting. Other research 
shows that sheep reared on pastures containing sludge have disrupted 
cellular development and hormonal functions.

The water committee's members include municipalities that recharge treated 
wastewater back into local aquifers and riverbeds, and dispose of municipal 
sludge on agricultural fields in floodplains.

The company that disposes of sludge for Prescott and Prescott Valley has 
received at least one violation notice from the Department of Environmental 
Quality.

The Sierra Club recently asked the municipalities to stop dumping their 
sludge on sites near waterways. The contactor currently uses four sites near 
the Verde River, Ash Creek and Big Chino Wash.

In response to further questions from The Daily Courier, a Prescott Valley 
representative stated that the local governments would let the state decide 
what sites are appropriate as long as the sites are meeting regulations.

The contractor apparently has taken remedial action at the Ash Creek site.

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Owens has refused 
to allow The Daily Courier to speak to the inspector who issued the notice 
of violation.

That same inspector notified the same contractor about "potential 
deficiencies" that could lead to a notice of violation at its Big Chino Wash 
site about a mile above the Verde River headwaters.

Contact the reporter at jdodder at prescottaz.com

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