ARIZONA NEWS

Orange water, soil near defunct Arizona mine isn’t a health risk, officials say

Apr 13, 2023, 9:09 AM

(Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Photos)...

(Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Photos)

(Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Photos)

PHOENIX – The orange water and soil spotted recently in the area of a former Arizona mine isn’t an imminent public health risk, state officials announced Wednesday.

Test results showed that the coloration near the former Sheldon Mine in Yavapai County was caused by naturally occurring iron, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality said. Iron forms iron oxide, which is orange or red in color, when it is exposed to air.

The department collected four surface water samples and three soil samples in the Sheldon Mine area. Testing for metals (barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, silver and iron), arsenic, cyanide and pH showed nothing exceeding state standards.

People were still advised to avoid contact with the stained liquid and soil as a precautionary measure.

No remediation action is warranted, ADEQ said.

The presence of the orange liquid and soil was confirmed in the area of Sheldon Road and Midnight Snap Lane near the community of Walker on March 30. Walker is about 10 miles southeast of Prescott in the Bradshaw Mountains.

“Within 24 hours of receiving information from a resident about concerns related to the orange liquid and soil, ADEQ had an inspector on-site to investigate,” ADEQ Water Quality Division Director Trevor Baggiore said in a press release Wednesday.

“Once we confirmed the orange liquid, we immediately coordinated with our local, county and state partners and worked with Yavapai County Emergency Management to post signs to inform the public to avoid the area while we made arrangements to conduct environmental sampling.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

patrol car in roadway in front of yellow tape...

KTAR.com

2 people are dead after separate shooting incidents occur within hours in Phoenix

Two people were pronounced dead in Phoenix after two shooting incidents occurred within two hours of each other on Saturday.

3 hours ago

(AZ511 Photo)...

KTAR.com

Eastbound Loop 202 reopens after for multi-car crash leaving 1 dead

Authorities closed eastbound traffic on the Loop 202 near 32nd Street early Sunday after a pedestrian was struck and killed by a car.

5 hours ago

Mesa College Promise program gets $25K to help STEM students...

Serena O'Sullivan

Mesa College Promise program gets $25K from Google Fiber to support STEM students

A new grant from Google Fiber could help STEM students in Mesa through a new $25,000 donation, officials said Friday.

6 hours ago

(Jopwell Photo/via Pexels)...

Kim Komando

Smart tech life hacks Arizona workers should use to save time and stay safe

I got a text from a number I felt I should have known not long ago, but it wasn’t saved in my phone. There’s a smart trick I used to find it.

7 hours ago

Heritage Marketplace is a new development in a historic flavor in the historic Heritage Square area...

Jeff Gifford/Phoenix Business Journal

Gilbert approves $18.4 million land purchase in historic Heritage District

The town of Gilbert has approved the $18.4 million purchase of 18 acres of land in the city’s historic Heritage District.

8 hours ago

Chandler woman accused of abusing over 50 special needs dogs...

KTAR.com

Activists played key role in arrest of Chandler woman accused of abusing special needs dogs

The Chandler Police Department arrested an Arizona woman Friday on suspicions of animal cruelty, officials said.

18 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Sanderson Ford...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford congratulates D-backs’ on drive to great first half of 2023

The Arizona Diamondbacks just completed a red-hot first half of the major league season, and Sanderson Ford wants to send its congratulations to the ballclub.

...

Mayo Clinic

Game on! Expert sports physicals focused on you

With tryouts quickly approaching, now is the time for parents to schedule physicals for their student-athlete. The Arizona Interscholastic Association requires that all student-athletes must have a physical exam completed before participating in team practices or competition.

...

OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center

5 mental health myths you didn’t know were made up

Helping individuals understand mental health diagnoses like obsessive compulsive spectrum disorder or generalized anxiety disorder isn’t always an easy undertaking. After all, our society tends to spread misconceptions about mental health like wildfire. This is why being mindful about how we talk about mental health is so important. We can either perpetuate misinformation about already […]

Orange water, soil near defunct Arizona mine isn’t a health risk, officials say