Treated water is tested weekly, and no detectable amounts of TCE have been found. Raytheon, U.S. Air Force, McDonnell Douglas Corp. and the Tucson Airport Authority pay the cost of operating the facility. Routine water testing is generally conducted for common pollutants such as coliform bacteria, nitrogen or sulfur compounds. Where reasons exist to suspect other pollutants such as TCE, tests for those pollutants become part of the testing routine. There are now well over 230 priority pollutants for which water supplies must be tested at least once a year.
Standardized testing is unavailable for many uncommon potential pollutants.
Table 6-1 Identified groundwater contamination sites in Pima County. Officials also had to decide what to do with the treated water. Under a Consent Agreement, approved by EPA, Tucson Water blends the treated water with other water and distributes it in the city water system. The treated water currently goes to customers downtown, and the near northwest side. Although this water meets all EPA drinking water standards, some customers objected to its use.