FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PUBLIC NOTICE
The following notice is required by the Safe Drinking Water Act: The Gardnerville Ranchos General Improvement District has received a variance from the Arsenic Exemption Rule. The Exemption was granted for the following reason. The District has one well that does not meet the present arsenic standard. The District feels the best way to treat arsenic is to not treat it at all but look for new sources of water with low arsenic levels. The variance was granted to give the District time to seek financing if needed, look at treatment options for the existing well or look for new water sources. The variance was awarded to the District effective January 23, 2006. The variance is for a period of three years during which time this notice will stay posted on the web site.
The District approved three subdivisions in 2005-2006. The Rocky Terrace Subdivision was required to build a well to deliver water to a maximum of 90 homes. The test well showed a maximum yield of approximately 800 gallons per minute. The District allowed the Aloha subdivision with 43 homes and the Cedar Creek Subdivision with 67 homes to contract with Rocky Terrace Estates, LLC for joint construction of the well. After the build out of all three subdivisions, there will be an excess of 300 gallons per minute of water which the District will use to help offset the retirement of Well 5. The District has also updated Well 2 to pick up a large portion of Well 5 output (see story below). District Staff will request from the Board of Trustees permission to construct a test well on Mitch Dr. this winter in hopes of picking up another 500 to 600 gallons per minute. This should offset Well 5's output and bring production above the levels when Well 5 was working full time. It should be noted that Well 5 was in use for approximately 60 days this summer to handle peak demand.
The public is always invited to request information by phone 265-2048, email: GRGID@aol.com or by attending a Board of Trustees Meeting on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. and ask questions under public comment regarding the extension and the District's efforts to retire Well 5. It should be noted that as Douglas County approves new subdivisions for the District, there could be a time when developers could pay to build a treatment facility for Well 5.
Bob Spellberg
District Manager
ARSENIC
Arsenic is an element found in the ground. Experts say the concentration of arsenic varies by the types of soil and rock formations that are found underground. Arsenic is also a poison. If you have ever seen the old Cary Grant movie arsenic and the old lace about two elderly ladies who poison their dinner guests with arsenic laced wine then hide the bodies around there home then you will get the idea.
Arsenic can be poisonous in large quantities but the EPA sets limits on how much arsenic is allowed in drinking water. The limit was 50 parts per billion of arsenic allowed in a liter of water. While President Clinton was in office, the EPA changed that limit to 10 parts per billion. When President Bush took office he put a stay on the limit change so further study could be made by his administration. The EPA then reset the limit to 10 parts per billion effective January, 2006. The State of Nevada came out in 2002 with a guideline to request an extension. GRGID has applied for an extension until 2009 and it was approved in September 2006. The District must continue to show good faith that it is working towards the 10 parts per billion limit.
The District's Well 5 which pumps approximately 1250 gallons a minute, does not currently meet EPA guidelines. The District knows that the best way to treat arsenic is to not treat it at all but replace the source. The District has tested Well 2 on Riverview Drive and found that if completely rebuilt it will be able to produce up to 1500 gallons per minute which is approximately 700 gallons per minute more than it presently produces. The cost to build the new Well 2 will be over $600,000.00.
Well 2A was constructed in 2005-2006 and is pumping between 1500 and 1800 gallons per minute.
Though Well 2A has picked up much of the slack, the District will continue looking for well sites that will have low arsenic content.
The completion of the Rocky Terrace Estates Subdivision well (well 9) will have an extra 300 gpm for District use. This well will go online in October 2006. The District has used Well 5 this summer during the peak time of August, September. Depending on weather the well will be shut down once again for the fall, spring and summer of 2007. The District will continue to look for other sources of good quality water.