CHINO VALLEY, Ariz. — Drinking water in the Chino Valley area does not appear to be threatened by a fuel release reported by Circle K earlier this year.
An estimated 86,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline was reportedly released into the environment from a Circle K underground storage tank in Chino Valley. The release occurred over a period of about 18 days and was caused by a faulty component of the submersible turbine pump.
Since residents in this area get their drinking water from private wells, Circle K began testing soil and groundwater for any possible contamination.
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality announced Friday the agency has reviewed Circle K's data and determined there's no current threat to the area's drinking water sources.
In a letter sent to Circle K, the environmental agency said there appears to be a discrepancy with the magnitude of the fuel release.
"The environmental data and operational information reported to ADEQ for this incident to date confirms that a release of fuel from the system did occur, but much less than the 86,000 gallons reported in multiple filings to date," the letter states.
ADEQ is asking Circle K to address the discrepancy. The agency said it is overseeing Circle K's cleanup work into the area affected by the fuel.
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