EPA says nine Wyoming water systems may fail new arsenic standard

[Thom Little]

The water systems of at least nine small Wyoming communities may have arsenic levels too high to meet stricter federal drinking water standards that go into effect next month, a federal agency says.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set drinking water standards for arsenic at 50 parts per billion. The new standard that goes into effect Jan. 26 allows no more than 10 parts per billion.

Jack Theis, arsenic rule manager for EPA Region VIII, says most of the nine Wyoming water systems his agency has identified are only a few parts per billion above the limit and all of them are under the current standard. The nine systems, scattered around the state, were identified by the EPA based on past test results.

"Most of them are close enough that we think that with relatively minor things they can take care of it," Theis said.

According to the EPA, the following systems that may have trouble meeting the EPA's new arsenic rule: Old Faithful Water System in Yellowstone National Park; the Town of Lyman; the Lance Creek Water District north of Lusk, the Skyline Ranch in Alpine; the Town of LaGrange; the Warm Springs Water District outside Dubois; Fairway Estates in Douglas; Meadow Park Homeowners Association in Evanston; and the Centennial Water and Sanitation District.


http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WY_ARSENIC_STANDARDS_WYOL-?SITE=VARIT&SECTION=US&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-12-10-15-46-54

[Josey]

1. only nine? wait till this corporation is done

Powertech Uranium corporation based in Vancouver, British Columbia has purchased land in Wyoming and will use in situ leach mining which will contaminate even more groundwater in your state. If you think you have a lot of arsenic on your water now wait until they are done with it. :(

I bring this up to you because they are going to be doing this near me too. The department of natural resources here in SD even admitted that our groundwater will be contaminated with things like arsenic before they recommended approval.

[Broca]

2. And as you might guess

Bush wants big cuts in the EPA budget.