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Council backs resolution to reaffirm commitment on TCE contamination; residents press for health services
Summary
The council directed staff to amend and return a Human Relations Commission resolution reaffirming the city's commitment to address TCE groundwater contamination near Tucson International Airport, adding language to involve Pima County and expand health-service access. Community witnesses described decades-long health trauma and gaps in local clinical care.
The Tucson Mayor and Council on Sept. 9 voted to move forward with a resolution from the Human Relations Commission reaffirming the city's commitment to addressing trichloroethylene (TCE) groundwater contamination near Tucson International Airport and to strengthen coordination with community groups and regional partners.
Vice Mayor Santa Cruz presented the resolution and invited community witnesses Roberto Jaramillo and Daniel Sullivan, an associate professor at the University of Arizona, to describe the human impacts of contamination on the South Side. Jaramillo said the problem has "been going on for decades" and urged inclusion of health issues in UCAB meetings and committee bylaws. Sullivan presented a 2023 door-to-door survey of nearly 400 residents and said "one in three people" historically exposed in their sample still experience clinically relevant post-traumatic stress related to contamination; he also reported higher self‑reported rates of cancer, autoimmune disease and birth defects in the affected cohort.
Council and staff discussion focused on two changes: include Pima County as the public-health jurisdiction responsible for medical services and urge the county board of supervisors to adopt a matching resolution; and strengthen language to push polluters to pay for cleanup and to expand access to culturally competent, trauma‑informed health care for impacted residents. City Attorney staff and the city manager confirmed modifications could be made and that the resolution would return to the council for formal adoption and be shared with Pima County.
Why it matters: The resolution is intended to elevate the city’s advocacy role, coordinate with county and federal partners (EPA, ADEQ, Department of Defense, Air Force) and push for accountability and funding for remediation and health services. Residents and advocates told council that prior clinic funding was small (about $250,000 historically) and insufficient to meet ongoing community needs.
Next steps: The city attorney will incorporate the council's directed modifications. The amended resolution will be placed on the next council meeting for formal adoption and shared with Pima County to seek a companion action.
