The Water Information Program

The state has spent $1 million so far to help small water systems deal with radioactive materials in water supplies. The eventual cost will be much greater, however, making alternatives such as the Arkansas Valley Conduit a more affordable option. This is the biggest project the state has put on for this type of activity,” Jon Erickson of the state Water Quality Control Division told the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District on Wednesday. “This is a long-standing issue. There are 45 systems that are going to be in violation as standards change.” One-third of those are in the Arkansas Valley, where most water systems rely on groundwater. Those in violations are usually smaller water systems developed over the years to serve rural populations. They all would benefit from the Arkansas Valley Conduit, a proposal to build a drinking water supply line from Pueblo Dam to Lamar to serve about 50,000 people in 42 communities, Erickson said. The proposal still must obtain federal funding approval. “The Arkansas Valley Conduit would definitely take care of any compliance issues,” Erickson said. “However, as a regulatory agency, it’s hard for us to bank on that.”

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