Navajo Nation EPA Public Water

Systems Supervision Program

Melissa Yazzie
Associate Civil Engineer

Navajo Nation PWSSP
Public Water Systems Supervision
Program is within the Surface and
Ground Water Protection Department,
NNEPA
NNEPA PWSSP office is located
at the Navajo Nation fairgrounds
(928) 871-7755
Visit us at www.navajopublicwater.org
myazzie@navajopublicwater.org

Navajo Nation PWSSP
The purpose of the Navajo PWSSP is to
ensure that all public water systems deliver
safe drinking water to the residents of the
Navajo Nation. PWSSP conducts
inspections, enforcement, ensures all
operators are certified, conducts source
water assessments, conducts engineer
reviews and issues construction permits,
and provides technical assistance to meet
the goals and objectives of the program.

Navajo Nation PWSSP
The Navajo PWSSP maintains a database of water
quality information, using DIME, for those systems
under PWSSPs primacy responsibility.

Bureau of Indian Affairs Schools
Navajo Tribal Utility Authority
Navajo Water Resources Department
Navajo Nation Chapters
Schools, businesses, parks, etc


Data is also shared with the U.S.EPA, Region 9 who has
direct implementation responsibility of the Eastern
Agency BIA Schools, APS, NGS, former Bennett Freeze
area systems.


Navajo Nation PWSSP
Navajo Nation
PWSSP

Navajo Nation
PWSSP
Los Lunas High School


Navajo PWSSP
Stink Water
Bacteria
Viruses
Protozoa
Giardia Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium
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Regulated v. Unregulated Water
Regulated water sources:
NTUA water supplies
Serve at least 15 connections or 25
people on a year-round basis
Regularly tested and treated
Must comply with primary drinking
water standards
Unregulated water sources:
Windmills, springs, artesian wells, private
wells, stock ponds
Not regularly tested or treated
Need not comply with primary drinking
water standards
Used for livestock watering, irrigation
Above: Regulated water station, Eastern
Agency Chapter House; below: unregulated
developed spring
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Navajo Nation policy
on human use of unregulated wells
Navajo Nation policy is that livestock-use-
only wells are not to be used for human
drinking water.

Livestock wastes are a potential source
of contamination to wells like this one.


Navajo Nation
Environmental Protection Agency
Contaminants
Industries released 197 million pounds of toxic
chemicals into waterways in 1990.
Common Navajo Nation contaminates
included: arsenic, uranium, etc.
COMMON WELL WATER
MICROCONTAMINANTS IN
ARIZONA
ARSENIC
URANIUM
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Navajo Nation PWSSP

Arsenic
Some people who drink water containing
arsenic in excess of the MCL over many years
could experience skin damage or problems
with their circulatory system, and may have in
increased risk of getting cancer.
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Why is arsenic harmful?
Natural element in soil; used to
treat lumber; in pesticides
Affects skin color changes, warts,
arsenicosis, and skin cancer
(photo)
Irritates stomach
Damages nerves
May increase risk of heart disease,
diabetes, poor circulation, cancers
(lung and bladder), liver and
kidney damage
Long term exposure in children
may see decrease in IQ
Public Water Supply Wells exceeding
the Arsenic MCL
0
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.06
0.07
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2012 Arsenic MCL Exceedances
Arsenic MCL: 0.01 mg/l
Ramah Navajo Utility Authority
Jacobs Well Arsenic Treatment
Uranium
Some people who drink water containing
uranium in excess of the MCL over many years
may have an increased risk of getting cancer
and kidney toxicity.

World Statistics
1 in 10 people lacks sufficient access to water
1 in 3 people lacks sufficient access to
sanitation
1.5 million children die from a lack of clean
water and safe sanitation every year (20 % of
all child deaths can be prevented with safe
water and sanitation)
Conservation Tips
Cut showers to 5 minutes (15-25 gallons)
Dont leave the water running while brushing
your teeth. (5 gallons)
When washing fruits, reuse the water for
watering plants
Water plants during the early morning or
evening.
Dont flush your toilet unnecessarily (6.5
gallons each flush)


Conservation Tips
Take baths instead of showers, to fill a tub it
takes 36 gallons
If someone washes a car at their home,
suggest using a bucket with soap so the water
doesnt run
Repair leaking faucets Just think 15 drips per
minute adds up to 3 gallons per day and 65
gallons per month..788 gallons a year.

Careers in Water
Hydrologist groundwater, surface water
(hydrology)

Civil Engineer Design review, inspections

Environmental Specialist- inspections
Questions