You'll recall a lot of San Tan Valley residents being ticked off when their water tested positive for possible E. coli; many were upset with how Johnson Utilities handled the whole situation. But now some are not only pushing back at what the company is now telling them, they're also pushing for change.
Johnson recommended that people replace their water filters after their water tested positive for possible E. coli, but now they're telling people if they want a reimbursement they will have to call the lab.
"That's going to be a big cost for us to find a replacement for that filter," said Lisa Keiser, a Johnson Utilities customer. But Johnson Utilities said they won't pay to replace her filter on her reverse osmosis system; instead, their latest newsletter that Keiser got in the mail suggests she take her complaints to her insurance companies - or the lab.
"I don't know if they're passing the blame because they don't want to front that cost or if they're passing the blame because they don't want to admit they had problems with their water supply," Keiser said.
The newsletter also said they feel the lab results were in error and that it wasn't their fault. But the lab says they stand by their results and say they will not replace any filters.
"Johnson Utilities? Don't get me started," said Alden Weight. He is collecting signatures to present to Rep. Jeff Flake to update the law requiring utilities to notify the public of these kinds of things, suggesting they use email and social media.
"It's 2012 now, we want 21st century methods," he said.
Weight will take the 300 signatures he's collected to Flake's office this week. And another customer is collecting signatures for a class-action lawsuit against the company. Keiser said people are banding together, hoping to get something done.
"I think it's just because we're all concerned and I believe Johnson Utilities hasn't shown that they care about our water and the public health," Keiser said.
Johnson Utilities sent us a statement saying, "Johnson Utilities stands by our newsletter communication to our customers. We will continue to comply with the law and protocols established by public health professionals for customer notification of water-related issues. The safety of our customers is paramount. Of course, we are always looking for more efficient ways to communicate with our customers in the event we need to reach them regarding a safety issue."
The ADEQ says their investigation into this whole ordeal should be released by the end of this month.
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