The latest promise of drinking water for this parched southwest corner of La Plata County known as the Dryside could be a mirage similar to the many Pat Greer has seen since he was born here 74 years ago. Greer was addressing the possible fallout of a La Plata West Water Authority plan announced last week to route water from southwest of Durango to a 250-square-mile area on Fort Lewis Mesa that straddles the north-south axis of Colorado Highway 140. Construction of an intake at a cost of $6 million is scheduled to begin this week at Lake Nighthorse - the reservoir created by the Animas-La Plata Project. The $6 million is as good as in hand, but the backbone of the project - water-treatment plant, storage tanks and distribution network for up to 3,600 dwellings - will cost an estimated $100 million. Greer's skepticism and wait-and-see attitude is shared by others. 

To view the full article, visit the Durango Herald. For a copy of the original article contact the WIP at (970) 247-1302 or stop by the office at 841 East Second Avenue in Durango.