Lodgepole arsenic levels below state standards

The levels of naturally occurring arsenic in Lodgepole’s water are below state standards again.

“It’s a great relief for us,” R.J. Savely, Lodgepole Board of Trustees vice chair, said. “We also know arsenic fluctuates throughout the panhandle, and it doesn’t get us out of the woods permanently, but it gives us the chance to continue to explore and work on water options for the village.”

Quarterly tests are performed by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The state standard for arsenic is 0.010 milligrams per liter. This limit was exceeded in the period in 2016.

“We were able to meet arsenic levels for three consecutive quarters, under the limit,” Tammy Sherman, Lodgepole village clerk, said.

Though the village is no longer under state scrutiny, efforts remain underway for a well-rehabilitation project to ensure the problem does not re-occur.

“It really will not change anything for us,” Sherman said. “We will continue our quarterly testing and monitoring of the water system. But it is a relief, in that we can explore different options without the strict timeline requirements we had before.”

Bill Taylor, village employee, updated the Lodgepole Board of Trustees Tuesday on a proposal from GeoSpec Drilling LLC for well-rehabilitation.

“The first phase, they’ll drill that pilot hole. They’ll run their BMR down there, and that figures out how much water it’s pumping,” Taylor said. “The next step would be to do that three-inch monitoring well and get your arsenic sample out of there.”

If the sample rates 7.5 parts per billion, the third phase, running a full well scan, would proceed.

“It makes you test for 144 different contaminants,” Taylor said. “It’s making sure, well, we’ve got good arsenic but maybe bad radium or something.”

The costs for the three-phase investigation would be roughly $20,000. The total cost for complete well rehabilitation would be $65,000 to $80,000. Engineering costs would bring it to roughly $120,000.

Taylor recommended proceeding with the testing.

“We need to keep going,” he said. “We’re this far into it.”

Rehabilitation is the least costly of options considered in April by the board.

“It is much better than what was originally proposed,” Savely said, “and saves the village $3 million, thereabouts.”

The board of trustees gave Taylor permission to continue coordinating with GeoSpec.