Water flowing from a faucet.
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is getting $5 million to address per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS.
The funding will support the sampling of groundwater at six high-priority sites with confirmed contamination including: two in Tucson: Shannon Road/ El Camino del Cerro and a combined Miracle Mile and Silverbell Landfill site.
A combined site in Gilbert at Cooper Road and Commerce Avenue and South Mesa, one site in Phoenix at West Central Phoenix - West Osborn Complex, one site in Lake Havasu City at Lake Havasu Avenue and Holly Avenue and one site in Prescott located at Miller Valley Road and Hillside Avenue.
Sampling and testing on surface water and fish tissue is also a part of this initiative.
The six priority sites were identified through previous testing conducted through the Water Quality Assurance Revolving Fund between 2022 and 2024 and selected based on the concentration of PFAS and proximity to drinking water sources.
The agency will conduct additional sampling and testing on up to 20 existing groundwater monitoring wells, install four new groundwater monitoring wells, site-specific investigation and community outreach.
This funding was allocated by the state through the American Rescue Plan Act and builds on a separate $5 million investment in 2023 that focused on testing of small public drinking water systems, statewide as a way to identify and reduce exposure to PFAS.
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