ANTHONY, NEW MEXICO, Feb. 27, 2014 -- Significant water system improvements intended to provide a reliable and sustainable water supply for the city of Anthony, N.M., were recently completed, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held today to commemorate the project.
The renovations, sponsored by the Anthony Water and Sanitation District (AWSD), included the construction of two water wells with a combined capacity of 1,700 gallons per minute (gpm), as well as the installation of new pump equipment in two other water wells, a reverse osmosis (RO) unit with a capacity of 600 gpm, and more than 14,900 feet of PVC waterlines.
These improvements will reduce arsenic concentrations to acceptable levels in compliance with current federal regulations, thus protecting the health of the local population. In addition, AWSD will be able to tactically draw water from all wells, lessening the local burden on the aquifer.
The $8.8-million project received a $2.8-million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Border Environment Infrastructure Fund (BEIF), which is administered by the North American Development Bank (NADB). Further, the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) certified the project in May 2011 and provided a $261,000 grant through its Project Development Assistance Program (PDAP) for project design and engineering.
The project was designed by the firm Molzen Corbin with offices in Las Cruces and Albuquerque, N.M. Phase-1 construction was completed by Henkle Drilling, Phase-2 construction was carried out by Burn Construction, and Phase-3 was performed by Smithco Construction.
"This project is improving the quality of life of local residents by reducing the risks associated with arsenic consumption. With the completion of this project, residents now have access to safe drinking water and a water system that will meet the future needs of this community," said Maria Elena Giner, BECC General Manager. "Without the construction of the new wells, the existing wells would have continued to be stressed."
See also: "Evidence on Arsenic Confirms Drinking Water Risks"
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