From The Pueblo Chieftain (Chris Woodka):
Lamar has completed a new water line that will allow it to deliver cleaner water to customers.
“We’re meeting our water quality goals by using our southern wells,” Josh Cichocki, Lamar water superintendent, told the Arkansas Basin Roundtable on Wednesday. “Not only did the project help us with water quality, but it helped with efficiency as well.”
The roundtable approved a $200,000 state grant last year that went toward the $2 million project. Other sources of funding were a $785,000 loan from the Colorado Water Conservation Board and a $985,000 grant from the Department of Local Affairs.
The project installed 6.5 miles of pipeline in a portion of the well field where pipes had become badly corroded. Completed during a drought, there were no major construction issues, Cichocki said.
“Our biggest obstacles were wind and tumbleweeds,” he laughed.
He explained that the southern wells used in the Lamar water system have the lowest measurement of total dissolved solids. That means the water does not require as much treatment to bring up to drinking water quality standards.
Lamar has gained between 180-250 acre-feet (58.6 million-81.4 million gallons) per year because of the improvements.
More infrastructure coverage here.