A state agency has fined a small northwest-side water corporation $4,000 for a number of violations.
According to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Tangerine Water Group Corp. did not provide documentation of several required tests for coliform, nitrates, lead and copper, nor consumer confidence reports.
According to ADEQ, Tangerine supplies drinking water to about 60 customers.
"We have attempted repeatedly to resolve this problem with the company but have received no response," ADEQ Director Henry Darwin said in a news release. "This is a public health threat to its customers and TWG needs to respond expeditiously to this compliance order."
The Tangerine Water Group, which lists its address as 8359 W. Tangerine Road, is shrouded in such secrecy that the department had difficulty serving the compliance order.
"This is a problem, these kinds of reporting gaps," ADEQ spokesman Mark Shaffer said. "It's hard to tell what problems there are without knowing what their test results are. That's why it's so important that we get this stuff. These are E. coli-related issues."
E. coli is a bacteria that is found in the lower intestines of people and animals. Some strains can cause food poisoning.
Shaffer said he's concerned about the company's willingness, or lack of it, to respond to concerns. ADEQ had difficulty serving the compliance order to Susan Montgomery, who is identified as Tangerine's president. The Star's efforts to reach her were unsuccessful.
"The compliance order was initially sent by certified mail to the statutory agent of the company, but that person said he or she was no longer affiliated with Tangerine," Shaffer said via email. "So then we sent it to the business office on (West) Wetmore (Road) in Tucson so we would have a record of receipt."
Tangerine has failed to do the following, according to ADEQ:
• Provide analytical testing results for levels of coliform from 2008-12.
• Provide testing results for levels of nitrates for the second and third quarters of 2012.
• Provide testing for levels of lead and copper in 2004 and 2007-11.
• Issue a public notice of monitoring violations.
• File required documentation that a certified operator who holds a Grade 1 water distribution operator certificate works with the company.
• Provide a copy of required consumer confidence reports for 2005-11, or certify that it delivered the reports to customers.
As a result, ADEQ fined Tangerine a civil administrative penalty of $4,000.
Contact reporter Phil Villarreal at 573-4130 or pvillarreal@azstarnet.com
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