City of Douglas

The sources of municipal water (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land surfaces or through soil layers, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive materials, and can absorb substances from animal presence or human activities.

Douglas Water Resources
The City of Douglas serves approximately 16,897 residents through six deep wells that produce high-quality water for public distribution. Hydrological studies indicate abundant water resources with active recharge from the Mule, Dragoon, and Chiricahua mountain ranges. The Douglas Basin Aquifer contains sufficient water stored in sand and gravel beds to meet community needs for generations to come.

The wells are strategically separated to minimize contamination risks. Each well undergoes individual testing to ensure compliance with applicable standards. Not all wells operate daily, but each runs periodically for maintenance. Winter usage averages 3.6 million gallons daily, while summer peaks at approximately 5.9 million gallons per day. Each well utilizes gas chlorination equipment that adds 1 part per million chlorine for complete bacterial protection.

The City of Douglas consistently works to maintain compliance with all safe water standards. An inspection by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) on December 22, 2015 confirmed full compliance with regulations. The City remains committed to providing high-quality, safe municipal water to all customers.

Vulnerable Populations
Municipal water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain small amounts of contaminants without necessarily posing health risks. However, some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. People with compromised immune systems—such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, individuals with HIV/AIDS or other immune disorders, some elderly persons, and infants—may face higher infection risks. These individuals should consult their healthcare providers about their municipal water consumption.

For information about contaminants and potential health effects, or to obtain EPA and CDC guidelines on reducing infection risks from cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants, contact the EPA Safe Municipal Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Source Water Assessment
The ADEQ conducted a source water assessment for Douglas city wells, examining adjacent land uses that might pose risks. These include underground storage tanks, gas stations, landfills, dry cleaners, and wastewater treatment facilities. After identifying these potential hazards, ADEQ rated them according to their likelihood of affecting water resources.

Thanks to extensive testing protocols and regulations, municipal water in the United States remains among the safest worldwide, though quality can vary due to source changes and treatment processes. Based on current hydrogeological data and surrounding land uses within specified proximity to municipal water sources, ADEQ has designated this public water system as high risk. This designation indicates additional source water protection measures could be implemented locally, but does not mean the water is contaminated or that contamination is imminent—only that land use activities or hydrogeological conditions make the source potentially vulnerable to future contamination.

Health Effects Information

• Nitrate: Levels above 10 ppm pose health risks to infants under 6 months, potentially causing blue baby syndrome. Levels may rise rapidly after rainfall or agricultural activity. If you care for an infant and nitrate levels exceed 5 ppm, consult your healthcare provider.
• Arsenic: When levels meet EPA standards, your water is considered safe. EPA balances known health effects against removal costs. Research continues on lower arsenic levels, as this mineral causes cancer at high concentrations and is linked to skin damage and circulatory issues.
• Lead: Elevated lead levels cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead primarily enters municipal water through service lines and home plumbing materials. While the City provides quality water, it cannot control plumbing component materials. To minimize lead exposure, flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking after it has been standing for several hours.

Simple Water Conservation Tips
Conserving water at home is simple and economical. The average household spends approximately $500 annually on water and sewer bills but could save about $170 yearly by installing water-efficient fixtures and adopting water-saving practices. Your actual savings will depend on local water rates, but using less water obviously reduces utility costs and preserves this limited resource.

Indoor Conservation:

• Install WaterSense labeled toilets that use 20% less water while maintaining performance. These can save a family of four over $90 annually and $2,000 over the toilets' lifetime compared to older, inefficient models.
• Add a WaterSense labeled aerator to your faucet—one of the most cost-effective water-saving measures. Alternatively, upgrade to a WaterSense labeled faucet. Either approach improves efficiency by 30% without compromising performance.

Outdoor Conservation:

• Water your lawn or garden during cool morning hours rather than midday to reduce evaporation.
• Look for sprinkler systems with smart controllers that adjust watering based on weather conditions.

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