Update October 2008

(for the complete newsletter, click on October 2008 in archives in the right column of this page)

Water Issues

Residents recently received the quarterly letter, as mandated by the State of Colorado, regarding our radionuclide situation. We want to assure you that safe drinking water is our priority, and we are continuing to work on this situation.

Our District, along with a number of other small water districts across the state, is part of the CO-RADS study being conducted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.The purpose of this study is to determine the best way for water districts to deal with radionuclides.

The state plans to have a final report and recommendations in 2009. In the interim, the District is rotating use of wells and conducting ongoing testing to assure we are using the best of our wells and minimizing use of those with the highest levels of uranium.

Prior to the onset of the state study, the District was working with two engineering firms to design a system to remove radionuclides from the drinking water.

Because the cost of the proposed system was more than $616,000 and required a 20-year contract for removal of radioactive media, the District postponed work on this project, with state approval, pending the results of the CO-RADS study. The Board believes this decision was the most cost-effective and prudent course of action. We did not want to commit such a significant amount of money and sign a long-term contract if the state study might result in a more effective solution.

The District is carefully studying a proposal by Conifer Water LLC, which would provide water from the North Fork of the South Platte through a pipeline up Highway 285. The District does not know at this time if this proposal will be more cost effective than mitigating the radionuclide problem in our own wells.
Inflow Problems: We Need Your Help

Inflow Problems

MWSD is experiencing an inflow problem, which means that we have more wastewater coming out of the system than water coming out of our wells and into the homes in Kings Valley.

This is a problem because the District can be subject to significant state fines if this situation continues.

There are five possible sources of this problem:
1. Leaky manhole covers
2. Damaged sewer pipes absorbing ground water
3. Leaky lift station covers
4. Sump pumps
5. Septic haulers dumping waste into our manholes

The District is checking sewer pipes and manhole covers wherever possible. However, we need your help on the last three potential sources.

If you have an operating sump pump or lift station at your home, please contact the District office, 303-838-1800, and we will send a staff member to check it out for you. If you see any truck dumping waste into the District system, please contact the office immediately.

We appreciate your cooperation on this important matter.