By Staff Reporter |
Residents in one Arizona city have been drinking nearly double the “safe” level of arsenic in their water for a year.
The city of Williams mailed a notice to residents in December that their drinking water levels contained an average of 17 parts per billion (ppb) of arsenic over the past year. The standard for arsenic is 10 ppb, as set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
City officials say it’s not an emergency. However, the notice did warn those with a severely compromised immune system or an infant, or those who are pregnant or elderly, should talk to healthcare providers before drinking the water.
The notice also advised that exposure over time to an excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of arsenic could face nerve damages or even cancers down the road.
“Some people who drink water containing arsenic in excess of the MCL over many years could experience skin damage or problems with circulatory system, and many have an increased risk of getting cancer,” said the notice.
Recognized arsenic-linked cancers include bladder, lung, skin, kidney, nasal, liver, and prostate cancers.
The EPA recognizes non-cancer effects of arsenic to include: thickening and discoloration of the skin, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, numbness preceded by a tingling sensation in the hands and feet, partial paralysis, and blindness.
Arsenic is odorless and tasteless.
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (AZDEQ) maintains a page dedicated to updated water compliance notices.
12 of the 15 counties presently have public notices about noncompliance with drinking water safety listed.
San Simon DWID (Cochise County) reported excess fluoride levels around September.
Payson Water (Gila County) reported excess nitrate levels in January 2024. The company pledged to resolve the issue within six to 12 months, yet their public notice remains active on AZDEQ’s site.
C.S. Verde Lee Water (Greenlee County) also reported excess arsenic levels in May 2024. Compared to Williams, their excess was much smaller: 11 ppb, one ppb over the EPA cap.
La Paz County had three water companies report excess contaminants. Cibola Mutual Water Company reported excess Total trihalomethanes, or TTHM; Cienega Water Company reported excess fluoride; and Desert Sky DWID was listed but the linked exceedance report redirected to the Cienega Water Company exceedance report.
Maricopa County had three water companies report excess contaminants: ADOT Burn Well Rest Area, Apache Lake Marina, and Grandview Water Company all reported excess nitrate.
Riverbound Custom Storage and RV (Mohave County) reported excess arsenic as well, in October. Their levels totaled 15 ppb.
Pinedale Estates (Navajo County) reported excess selenium in November 2023. Their levels were 330 ppb, far above the federal standard of 50 ppb. The company provided alternate water at a new well pending construction for a new water line.
Pinal County had six companies report excess contaminants. Desert Gardens RV Park reported excess arsenic and Kelvin Simmons Coop reported excess LCR; CS Carter Water Company, Maricopa Mountain, New Saddleback Vista, and Papago Butte all reported excess nitrate.
ADOT Border Patrol (Santa Cruz) reported excess nitrate.
Yavapai County reported seven smaller providers with excess contaminants. Beaver Creek School, Cordes Junction Motel RV Park, Manzanita Restaurant, Mountain Vu RV Courtyard, Softwinds Mobile Home Park, and White Horse Ranch Owners Association all reported excess nitrate; and Green Valley Mobile Home Park reported excess arsenic.
Several violations within Yuma County exceeded the arsenic contaminants reported recently by the city of Williams.
CS Citrus Park Water Company reported excess arsenic and fluoride in April 2024, with arsenic levels averaging 18.5 ppb. CS El Prado Water Company reported excess arsenic levels averaging 21.2 ppb in February 2025.
Other violations include the town of Wellton and Mohawk Valley School (TTHM), and CS Rancheros Bonitos and CS Tierra Mesa Estates (uranium).
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