Global Water responds to claims of high nitrate levels

A Maricopa business’ claim Friday that nitrate levels within the city’s water supply are above the federal limit has prompted Global Water officials to conduct extra water quality tests despite evidence that shows the contrary.

An administrator of the Facebook page for MegaAquarium, a fish and small pet store near John Wayne Parkway and Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway, posted a notice that a recent water quality test using a home test kit showed a nitrate result of 40 parts per million. The Environmental Protection Agency sets a maximum allowable nitrate level at 10 ppm.  

The Facebook posting had generated more than 20 comments as of 8:30 p.m.

Another posting on the “Maricopa buy sell trade mobile” page features a picture of a small tube from a test kit next to a color-coded result card. The color appears to fall in the range between 40 and 80 ppm. The posting generated more than 70 comments Friday evening.

According to the EPA, infants under the age of 6 months who drink water containing nitrate levels above the federal limit could become seriously ill.

Global Water issued a statement Friday evening that says monthly testing of nitrate levels has shown that the Santa Cruz Water Company – Maricopa’s water utility – has continually met federal standards. The most recent monthly test showed a result of 6.6 ppm.

“Global Water – Santa Cruz Water Company contracts a third party certified analytical laboratory to conduct all drinking water analysis, and these tests have continually confirmed all drinking water supplied by Global Water is within regulatory standards, and specifically for nitrates,” the statement reads.

The company posts annual water quality reports on its website.

Ron Fleming of Global Water said the company is in the process of conducting additional tests.

InMaricopa.com called MegaAquarium earlier Friday. The woman who answered the phone confirmed she had posted the Facebook message and said she had contacted both Global Water and a state agency about her findings. She did not want to give her name at this time. 

Global Water is asking residents who have questions or concerns about water quality to call the company at 602-550-7112, or the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.