Scottsdale mulls water firm action, food tax cut… Ari Cohn = 11 May 08 = Tribune = excerpted = Scottsdale officials could earmark $10 million in next year’s budget to “send a message” to Arizona American Water Co. that the city is serious about confronting the private utility over two recent drinking water contamination scares.
ARIZONA AMERICAN WATER CO. Craig Clifford, acting city treasurer and chief financial officer, said the council doesn’t need to put any money behind the $10 million Arizona American budget item, but the placeholder gives officials the legal authority to allocate that money and take action during the next fiscal year, if the need arises. Arizona American customers may have been exposed to trichloroethylene, or TCE, levels on Jan. 16 at quadruple the maximum allowable limit because of a mechanical breakdown at Arizona American’s Miller Road Treatment Facility in Scottsdale. The company had a previous TCE problem in October, but at the time officials said the tainted water was blended with TCE-free water, lowering concentrations to within federal limits. Arizona American has since announced that the well linked to the TCE problems has been permanently disconnected. But city officials are considering options ranging from working more closely with the private utility to ensure safety to condemning the company’s system and taking it over. Clifford said the proposed budget item gives the city the flexibility to proceed with such things as an initial study to assess the cost of buying or condemning Arizona American’s system, which serves about 12,000 people in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. The council would have to approve any allocation, however, he said. “This gives us the legal ability to proceed,” Clifford said.


Scottsdale mulls water firm action, food tax cut… Ari Cohn = 11 May 08 = Tribune = excerpted = Scottsdale officials could earmark $10 million in next year’s budget to “send a message” to Arizona American Water Co. that the city is serious about confronting the private utility over two recent drinking water contamination scares.
ARIZONA AMERICAN WATER CO. Craig Clifford, acting city treasurer and chief financial officer, said the council doesn’t need to put any money behind the $10 million Arizona American budget item, but the placeholder gives officials the legal authority to allocate that money and take action during the next fiscal year, if the need arises. Arizona American customers may have been exposed to trichloroethylene, or TCE, levels on Jan. 16 at quadruple the maximum allowable limit because of a mechanical breakdown at Arizona American’s Miller Road Treatment Facility in Scottsdale. The company had a previous TCE problem in October, but at the time officials said the tainted water was blended with TCE-free water, lowering concentrations to within federal limits. Arizona American has since announced that the well linked to the TCE problems has been permanently disconnected. But city officials are considering options ranging from working more closely with the private utility to ensure safety to condemning the company’s system and taking it over. Clifford said the proposed budget item gives the city the flexibility to proceed with such things as an initial study to assess the cost of buying or condemning Arizona American’s system, which serves about 12,000 people in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. The council would have to approve any allocation, however, he said. “This gives us the legal ability to proceed,” Clifford said.

A perspective for your consideration . . . ?In plane English it’s called – dilution – but “blended” has a much more politically correct ring to it.

Scottsdale public officials qppear to have fisrt hand knowledge that a “little-bit” of carcenegic water pollution really won’t hurt or impair your health long term. I wish my crystal-ball was as clear because real science just doesn’t know as no one has conducted any long term study. If you want to robotically believe Scottsdale and Arizona American Water Co that’s solely your choice, but, remember that in the future when you’re inclined to point your finger and blame…?

Looking for a solution…? Follow the money and you will quickly determine all these reputed EPA and state water quality standards are based on quick-sand as the actual numerical standards and test protocol are established behind closed doors between the regulators and the regulated, you were not invited to the table. It’s a game and unlike MONOLOPY it’s played with real money and real lives – YOURS – MINE – OURS.