August 2022: Prescott Valley shuts down four wells after positive PFAS tests

After the City of Prescott announced in July that it had shut down two of its wells near the Prescott airport because of positive tests for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), Prescott Valley tested all but two of its 27 wells (the two were offline). The Town subsequently tested the two offline wells, with no PFAS detected.

The Town shut down the four positive wells and retested to confirm results. The four returned positive on the retests, as did influent and effluent at its wastewater treatment plant.

Prescott Valley followed up with a special Council meeting on Sept. 8 that included information from an Arizona Department of Environmental Quality representative. That meeting may be viewed on this page.

The four positive wells are Little Pete and Lake Valley in central Prescott Valley, and Quailwood 2 and 3 in east Prescott Valley. The Town’s wells are interconnected so water can be moved to different areas to serve the community during repairs or shutdowns.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are not currently regulated by the EPA, but the agency has advised that exposure to high levels of these chemicals may be harmful to human health. In June 2022, EPA significantly reduced the health advisory levels for the chemicals.

Other communities throughout Arizona and the nation are also experiencing positive tests for PFAS with the lowered testing threshold. The chemicals are commonly found in some grease-resistant paper such as in fast-food containers, pizza boxes, stain resistant coatings, water resistant clothing, some cleaning and personal care products, paint products, and aqueous firefighting foams.

More information on PFAS may be found at: 

https://www.epa.gov/pfas

https://www.azdeq.gov/pfas-resources

View the entire Legend Technical Services laboratory test results

Prescott Valley water is tested annually and meets all safe drinking water standards required by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. View the entire water quality report here.

August 2023: Town Takes Additional Well Out of Service Due to PFAS Chemicals

The Town of Prescott Valley has taken an additional well out of service after it tested positive for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). A year ago, in August 2022, Prescott Valley shut down four of its 27 wells because of positive PFAS tests. The Town recently retested its operational wells and found that the additional well in the Quailwood area tested above the Environmental Protection Agency’s Draft Maximum ContaminantLevel for PFAS.

Quailwood wells #2 and #3 in east Prescott Valley were two of the original wells taken out of service. Quailwood well #4 is the most recent taken out of service, and an additional well is non-operational because of servicing.The remaining three wells in the area are sufficient to meet the needs of water customers, and the Town’s wells are interconnected so water can be moved from different areas to serve the affected community during repairs or shutdowns.

The EPA has advised that exposure to high levels of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may be harmful to human health. In March 2023, the EPA published the Draft Maximum Contaminant Level, which will be in effect until a permanent acceptable level is established this fall.

Other communities throughout Arizona and the nation are also experiencing positive tests for PFAS. The chemicals are commonly found in some grease-resistant paper such as in fast-food containers, pizza boxes, stain resistant coatings, water resistant clothing, some cleaning and personal care products, paint products, and aqueous firefighting foams.

The Town of Prescott Valley is currently pursuing grant funding and technology options to remove the forever chemicals from the affected wells. During calendar year 2024, the Town will be testing its wells again as part of the EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring #5 (UCMR), required every five years. The purpose of UCMR is to collect data from utilities like Prescott Valley’s about contaminants that may be present in drinking water. The EPA uses this data to decide if specific contaminants occur at frequencies and concentrations high enough to be regulated in the future.

Prescott Valley water is tested annually and meets all safe drinking water standards required by the ArizonaDepartment of Environmental Quality. View the entire water quality report at https://pv-azgov.info/3c9HDrd. Moving forward, Town’s policy with any well that tests higher than the EPA Draft MCL will be immediately taken out of service. All other wells will remain operational.