Water Quality

Backflow occurs when water flows opposite of the intended direction in a plumbing system. This leads to contamination of the potable water that flows from the tap.

In Arizona, backflow prevention devices must be tested once a year by a certified tester to ensure that wastewater does not flow in the wrong direction. These devices are commonly installed at cross-connection points within commercial plumbingand irrigation systems. During an annual inspection, the tester will commonly check for wear and tear on the device and check for leaks.

Pursuant to the Florence Town Code, it is the responsibility of the customer to prevent pollutants or contaminants from entering their building’s potable water system and the public potable water system. The customer’s responsibility begins at the point of service delivery from the public potable water system and includes all water piping systems. The customer is required to properly locate, install, test, and maintain each backflow prevention assembly in good working condition and shall provide the necessary inspections to ensure that the assembly is operating properly.

Beginning in 2024, the Town of Florence will utilize Backflow SolutionsInc. (BSI) to track and manage backflow devices within our water service area. BSI allows certified testers to submit annual results using online smart forms and will automatically send backflow device owners a yearly letter when their test is due.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are generally referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the environment and persist over time. Historically, PFAS have been used in products such as stain & waterresistant clothing/products, nonstick cookware, firefighting foams, food packaging, paints & sealants, and pesticides. Consuming and using products containing PFAS can cause health issues such as increased cholesterol levels, reduced immune response, increased risk of cancer, reduced chance of pregnancy, hormonal interference, and developmental delays in children.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began monitoring the presence and concentrations of PFAS in water systems throughout the country with the finalization of their Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) in December 2021. Monitoring through UCMR 5 provided the EPA with valuable data on the national occurrence of PFAS and aided in establishing minimum reporting levels. On April 10, 2024, the EPA announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six PFAS compounds including PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS. The Town of Florence falls below the MCL for all currently regulated PFAS.

Fats, oils, and grease are inherent by-products of food preparation, cooking, and kitchen cleanup. FOG is created from meat, fats, lard, oil, shortening, butter, margarine, sauces, and dairy products and could potentially cause severe damage to your sewer system. When FOG is washed down the drain it sticks to the inside of the pipe and causes sewer blockages that could lead to backups. It builds itself up one layer at a time creating an even smaller and narrower path for water to flow. FOG can also travel farther down the pipes from your home into the main sewer system which can cause even larger issues throughout the main sewer system.

FOG can drip off scraps that make their way into the drain or by breaking up larger foods with your garbage disposal. A blockage in your pipes can be inconvenient and especially costly to repair. While there is no way to prevent FOG, disposing of it properly can keep your pipes clear. Following cooking with foods containing FOG, allow time for FOG to cool, transfer it to a disposable container, and place it in the trash.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the initial Lead and Copper Rule in 1991 to protect public health and reduce exposure to lead in drinking water. In 2020, the EPA made the first major update to this rule. This update works to continue removing lead from our nation’s drinking water, strengthens treatment requirements, and promotes public education on safe drinking water.

Lead can enter drinking water through the corrosion of lead pipes. Even though all water mains in the Town of Florence have been replaced since the lead ban, service lines in older homes and buildings could still contain lead. Service lines are defined as the pipe connecting the water main to the inlet of a building or home. New requirements under the revised Lead and Copper Rule include completion of a lead service line inventory, public education of this inventory, tap sampling, a lower lead action level, and rules concerning public notices of lead action level exceedances.

The lead service line inventory entails identifying the material of service lines within the Town of Florence’s service area and reporting the findings to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The Town of Florence is requesting that all customers who receive their water through the Town complete the Service Line Survey. Complete instructions on how to complete the survey can be found below.

Residents who need assistance completing the service line survey or who have questions about the revisions made to the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule may attend the open house at the Viney Jones Library and Community Center on March 19, 2024, from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm.

The Town of Florence upholds all state and federal regulations concerning the quality of drinking water. These regulations are set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and listed within the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

The goal of the Safe Drinking Water Act is to protect our nation’s potable water supplies at the source, within distribution systems, and through the taps of all service connections. The Safe Drinking Water Act includes regulations on how drinking water is treated and distributed to customers. These regulations set Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) that must be met by water providers and require that all public water systems be managed by certified water operators. Our water distribution system is managed by certified water operators and Florence drinking water is tested for regulated contaminants regularly. Our water quality tests are outsourced to a certified laboratory.

Consumer Confidence Reports are developed by our staff and released annually to Florence Water customers and are always readily available online. The Consumer Confidence Report includes detailed information on Maximum Contaminant Levels and compares them with levels within the Town’s drinking water.

Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) are federally required by the United States Enviromental Protection Agency. These reports contain important regulation information on Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) and how the Town of Florence is meeting requirements.