From The Pueblo Chieftain (Chris Woodka):
As water is used and reused along the Arkansas River, it picks up and releases salt. By the time the Arkansas River reaches the state line, it can be up to 10 times more saline than at Pueblo. In addition, many of the wells used to supply water to the cities and towns of the Arkansas Valley have radionuclide (a class of atom that exhibits radioactivity) contamination. As state restrictions tighten, they will be forced to either clean the water or turn to a new supply through the conduit. Building the conduit always has been a chicken-or-egg proposition. The population of the valley has never been large enough to afford the conduit, but it is vital for its future growth…
The Bureau of Reclamation is doing an environmental impact study for the conduit — along with associated long-term storage contracts — that should be completed next year.
From The Pueblo Chieftain (Chris Woodka):
“It is still a struggle to provide good water to newcomers,” said Bill Long, the conduit’s most tireless advocate…
Long is a Las Animas businessman, Bent County commissioner and president of the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District. His view of the Fry-Ark Project is one in which future generations will enjoy the work going on today.