The water system, located on Bellemont Camp Road in the unincorporated community of Bellemont west of Flagstaff, serves drinking water to about 100 customers. The majority of the system’s customers receive water hauled by trucks directly to their homes from a stand pipe. Bellemont Water Company also serves a few local businesses, including a small strip mall.
“We have attempted repeatedly to resolve this problem unsuccessfully with the company,” said ADEQ Director Henry Darwin. “This is a potential public health threat to its customers and Bellemont must respond expeditiously to this compliance order.”
The company’s water system reported positive test results for total coliform bacteria and E. coli bacteria in August, September and October 2012 and again for total coliform bacteria in April 2013. Water system officials also have failed to reliably and consistently provide public notice to their customers for a boil water advisory that has been in effect since Aug. 29, 2012. In addition, the company failed to submit analytical results for lead and copper for the years 2011 and 2012.
As part of the compliance order, the company must notify all customers of the boil advisory notice until the requirement is lifted by ADEQ. To date, the water system has not identified a potential source of contamination. The company is also required to install and provide treatment that effectively removes bacteria and viruses from the water.