Initial private well tests in the area show no impacts;
Circle K environmental investigation underway

PHOENIX (March 1, 2024) – Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today that Circle K (Facility 0-009194) reported the release of an estimated 86,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline into the environment from its location at 1910 N State Route 89, Chino Valley, AZ 86323. Initial tests of private drinking water wells in the immediate area show no impacts from the release.

ADEQ and Circle K are aware that residents in the immediate vicinity of the Circle K release get their drinking water from private wells; the nearest public water supply well is part of the Town of Chino Valley’s public water system and is located more than a mile away. ADEQ has advised Yavapai County Health Department officials about the situation and also is coordinating with officials from the Town of Chino Valley. As additional information becomes available, ADEQ will continue to provide updates.

“ADEQ takes any release of fuel into the environment seriously,” said ADEQ Waste Programs Division Director Julie Riemenschneider. “ADEQ is committed to working with Circle K to ensure swift and appropriate actions are taken to protect public health and clean up the release.”  

To determine environmental impacts associated with the fuel release and the corrective actions that will be necessary, Circle K has proactively initiated an investigation of soil and groundwater in the area and is working closely with ADEQ. Out of an abundance of caution to ensure private wells in the immediate area are not affected by this release, Circle K is notifying nearby private well owners of the release and is contacting them to request permission to collect and test well water samples. Preliminary results from private well tests in the area show the wells have not been affected by the release. Circle K will provide the results of all private well tests to ADEQ and to the well owners.

Contacts

Circle K
Customer Care Ph: 833-685-7318
Media Contact: Chris Barnes | Email >

ADEQ Public Information Officer
Ph: 602-540-8072 (cell) 
Email >