Category Archives: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

ADEQ comment period for Hayden Sulfur Dioxide Nonattainment Area State Implementation Plan

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ADEQ welcomes comments on the proposed Hayden Sulfur Dioxide Nonattainment Area State Implementation Plan (SIP) Revision.

The plan demonstrates that the Hayden nonattainment area will attain the 2010 Sulfur Dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The revision will be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency for incorporation in Arizona’s SIP as required by the Clean Air Act under Section 110.
View Public Notice/Related Documents here.

Public Comment Period:
Dec. 5, 2016 to Jan. 10, 2017

Public Hearing:
Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017 at 2 p.m.
1110 W. Washington St., Rm. 3175
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Comments may be submitted as follows:
Email | Send Email
Mail: (Must be postmarked by Jan. 10, 2017)

Stakeholder Meeting for Ozone Air Quality Standards December 19

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ADEQ welcomes interested parties to attend a stakeholder meeting regarding EPA’s proposed 2015 Ozone Implementation Rule. During the meeting, ADEQ will discuss key topics from the proposed rule in which the agency will most likely make comments.

When: December 19, 2016 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Where: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
1110 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, Arizona, 85007
Room 145

View EPA’s proposed implementation rule here >

Johnson Utilities Drinking Water Problem Resolved

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The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is pleased to report that we are lifting the Johnson Utilities Drinking Water Advisory for nitrate. ADEQ notified Johnson Utilities (PWS 11182) customers on Dec. 2, 2016, to not provide water to infants under of the age of 6 months or use the water to make infant formula because of elevated nitrate levels. ADEQ has confirmed the problem has been resolved and tap water can be given to infants under the age of 6 months.

Today, ADEQ received confirmation from Johnson Utilities that their sample collected on Nov. 30, 2016, demonstrated the nitrate level met the federal drinking water standard (lower than the Maximum Contaminant Level of 10 mg/L at 7.15 mg/L). This sample was analyzed using certified analytical methods.

Contact Katherine Nierva with Johnson Utilities at 480-998-3300 if you have questions.

Please share this information with all people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

ADEQ DRINKING WATER WARNING

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The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) learned today that drinking water test results of Johnson Utilities water exceeded the federal drinking water standard for nitrate. Because Johnson Utilities has not contacted ADEQ or responded to our inquiries, ADEQ is not able to verify whether Johnson Utilities has completed the required notification to its customers about this important water quality concern.

DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS UNDER 6 MONTHS OLD OR USE IT TO MAKE INFANT FORMULA

Water sample results collected 10/27/2016 and 11/21/2016 showed nitrate levels of 12 mg/L and 11.4 mg/L, respectively. This is above the nitrate standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL), of 10 mg/L. Nitrate in drinking water is a serious health concern for infants less than six months old.

Nitrate in drinking water can come from natural, industrial, or agricultural sources (including septic systems and run-off). Levels of nitrate in drinking water can vary throughout the year.

What should I do? What does this mean?

  • DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS. Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome. Blue baby syndrome is indicated by blueness of the skin. Symptoms in infants can develop rapidly, with health deteriorating over a period of days. If symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately.
  • Water, juice, and formula for children under six months of age should not be prepared with tap water. Bottled water or other water low in nitrates should be used for infants until further notice.
  • DO NOT BOIL THE WATER. Boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water stand does not reduce the nitrate level. Excessive boiling can make the nitrates more concentrated, because nitrates remain behind when the water evaporates.
  • Adults and children older than six months can drink the tap water (nitrate is a concern for infants because they can’t process nitrates in the same way adults can). However, if you are pregnant or have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor.

What is being done?

ADEQ is unable to determine what corrective action Johnson Utilities may be performing at this time and is continuing attempts to contact the company to determine what actions they have taken.

ADEQ urges Johnson Utilities’ customers who have questions to contact the company directly: Katherine Nierva, Johnson Utilities, 480-998-3300

Please share this information with all people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

ADEQ Waste Programs Division Workshops Free Webinar Series – February 2017

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wpd_cropArizona Department of Environmental Quality Waste Programs Division staff invite interested community members and business and government personnel to participate in our free February 2017 Waste and Water webinar workshop series.

Topics will include solid and hazardous waste regulations, Arizona’s Pollution Prevention program and underground storage tanks programs.

Click for more details and to Register for these FREE ADEQ Workshop Webinars >

Feb. 7, 2017 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Solid Waste Overview
Feb. 14, 2017 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Hazardous Waste Regulations & Reporting
Feb. 15, 2017 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Hazardous Waste Regulations & Reporting
Feb. 16, 2017 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Hazardous Waste Regulations & Reporting
Feb. 21, 2017 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Pollution Prevention
Feb. 28, 2017 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Underground Storage Tanks

Don’t miss this opportunity to get the latest information about requirements and best practices and earn Professional Development Hours.

ADEQ Awards $54,938 in Brownfields Grants to Somerton Elementary School District #11

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PHOENIX — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today two Brownfields Grant awards totaling $54,938 to Somerton Elementary School District #11 (http://www.ssd11.org/) to bring an existing school-owned building back into use for the school’s growing student body.

Brownfields Grant funds will used to identify and properly remove and dispose of asbestos containing materials and lead-based paint in the building located at 440 N. Carlisle Ave. in Somerton, which is necessary for the school to regain use of the building, vacant for several years, for student facilities, including classrooms.

ADEQ Awards $22,530 in Brownfields Grants to Jerry Ambrose Veterans Council, Kingman

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PHOENIX — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today two Brownfields Grant awards totaling $22,530 to the Jerry Ambrose Veterans Council (JAVC) (http://www.javc.org/) to support redevelopment of the long-vacant, deteriorating Arnold Plaza located at 301-315 E. Oak Street in downtown Kingman. JAVC’s reuse plan for Arnold Plaza, called ‘Operation 6’, will establish and provide transitional housing, treatment, training and reintegration for homeless and at-risk military veterans and their families.

Grant funds will be used to perform a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) and asbestos and lead-based paint survey. The ESA and survey will address both the underlying land and physical improvements to the property by identifying potential or existing environmental contamination and the presence, type and amount of building materials that contain asbestos and lead-based paint, which require cleanup or abatement to protect public health and the environment.

ADEQ Awards a $72,489 Brownfields Grant to Pine Forest Education Association

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adeq-1FLAGSTAFF — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today a Brownfields Grant award of $72,489 to the Pine Forest Education Association (PFEA) to perform an asbestos and lead-based paint abatement at a vacant church located at 2257 E. Cedar Ave in Flagstaff in support of the Pine Forest Charter School (http://pineforestschool.org/) expansion plan to accommodate increased enrollment. Constructed in 1967, the 23,000-square-foot multistory, multi-material building is located on an approximate 3.5-acre property. The charter school plans to modify the existing structure as well as construct new buildings to provide its K–8 curricula to more students.

Redeveloping brownfields has the potential to reduce environmental hazards, mitigate public health threats, create new business opportunities, increase tax revenue and restore habitats and blighted areas to productive use. Program funds are limited and available to eligible applicants in the order that they apply and qualify.

Established in 2003, ADEQ’s BAP conducts projects through Arizona’s State Response Grant using funds provided by the Environmental Protection Agency. The program has funded more than 70 projects, assisting entities from local governments, schools, hospitals and nonprofits to tribes in completing environmental assessments, cleanup and restoration.

ADEQ Air Quality Control Permits Energy Fuels Resources Inc.

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The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality issued Air Quality Permit Nos. 62877, 62878, and 63895 to Energy Fuels Resources (USA), Inc. for the Canyon, EZ, and Arizona 1 uranium mines on Oct. 13, 2016.

The EZ and Arizona 1 mines are located north of Grand Canyon National Park, and approximately 35 southwest of Fredonia, and the Canyon mine is located south of Grand Canyon National Park and approximately 6.5 miles southeast of Tusayan.

Visit ADEQ’s website to view the final permit documents and response to public comments by clicking this link: http://azdeq.gov/EnergyFuelsRes.

ADEQ Reimbursement Programs for Leaking Underground Storage Tanks

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adeq-1PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) now offers two new programs to reimburse eligible underground storage tank (UST) owners, operators, and others who incurred environmental cleanup costs for leaking underground storage tanks (LUSTs).

UST Time-Barred Claims Program – Application Deadline is 12/31/2016

If you were “time-barred” from submitting costs for reimbursement after the sunset of the former state assurance fund (SAF) on June 30, 2010, you now can seek repayment of up to 90 percent of approved cleanup costs incurred after June 30, 2010. Submit your “time-barred” claim application now.

Deadline for Time-Barred Claim Applications is 12/31/2016

Learn more about the UST Time-Barred Program: www.azdeq.gov/ust/time-barred.

UST Preapproval Program – Accepting Applications

UST owners, operators or landowners may also be eligible for ADEQ’s UST Preapproval Program, which provides financial assistance for corrective action costs not covered by a financial assurance mechanism. ADEQ will work closely with applicants to develop a cleanup plan and path to closure for their USTs.

Learn more about the UST Preapproval Program: http://azdeq.gov/ust/preapproval.