ALAMOSA, COLORADO - The consulting team led by Richard P. Arber Associates has been chosen by the City of Alamosa to provide planning, pilot testing, design and related services for a new water treatment facility to reduce the levels of arsenic in the community’s water system. This is one of the first large-scale arsenic removal projects to be initiated in the U.S.

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that is readily dissolved in underground water sources and has been found to have adverse health impacts at certain levels. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently reduced the long-standing Maximum Containment Level of 50 parts per billion (ppb) to 10 ppb and has set a compliance deadline of January 2006 for public water supplies. Arsenic in Alamosa’s aquifer ranges from 20 to 70 ppb.

To bring the City’s water supply into compliance with the new EPA standard, the City of Alamosa is expanding and improving its existing water treatment facilities to include processes for the removal and reduction of arsenic. The project will be completed in phases with the new system constructed and operational prior to the January 2006 compliance deadline. Project phases will include: water supply and source investigation; analysis of the existing system; schematic design of distribution and storage improvements; bench and pilot testing of treatment technologies; design and construction of distribution and storage improvements; and design and construction of treatment systems.

Don Koskelin, City of Alamosa, Public Works Director commented, "The Alamosa City Council remains committed to providing a safe and dependable water supply to our citizens. With the help of the Arber Associates team we are going to strive to find the most efficient and cost effective way to meet the arsenic standards."

Richard P. Arber Associates is the lead design firm of the team that includes McGuire Environmental Consultants and Carter & Burgess. Arber Associates will provide process and system design and construction services. McGuire Environmental Consultants will evaluate treatment methods and conduct pilot testing. Carter & Burgess will provide engineering support disciplines as well as assisting with public relations and public involvement programs.