BATTLE MOUNTAIN - The second test hole that was drilled recently for the third well for the Battle Mountain arsenic mitigation project showed favorable results with arsenic levels less than 10 parts per billion (ppb), the national federal limit.
It also showed good water chemistry and sufficient quantity, said Jay Fischer, a hydrologist and principal owner of Reese River Hydrologic, LLC, who is serving as a consultant on the arsenic mitigation project.
Drilling of the first test hole to evaluate the site for the third well, well number nine, was conducted by Bruce MacKay Drilling, out of Reno. The first test hole, located approximately one mile south of the existing wells, was not favorable due to an insufficient amount of water.
Two new test hole locations were planned based on results from the first test hole. Boart Longyear, of Elko, was contracted to drill the remaining test holes.
Favorable water chemistry and quantity was encountered in the second test hole. The favorable test hole is located approximately one mile northwest of the existing municipal supply wells.
The county is currently working to purchase the land from a private owner and negotiations are underway, said Fischer.
A bid package for the drilling of the well is currently being compiled, he added.
Fischer said it is hoped that drilling will begin in early August and will take about a month to complete.
Carson Pump Company completed the repair, rehabilitation and testing on the first two wells, numbers seven and eight, in March and the data collected from both wells during the test pump was evaluated in order to provide specifications to Weir Floway Inc., for the permanent pumps.
The two new pumps were ordered the first week of March and arrived May 29. They are slated to be installed by Carson Pump this week. The new pumps, at full capacity, will produce 1,100 gallons per minute. There are about 1,900 users of the water system.
In mid-2012, Weir Floway assumed full responsibility for the malfunctioning of the two pumps and said it would provide two new pumps to the county for free.
Temporary pumps, rented from Carson Pump, are being used until the new ones are installed.
The water system committee is made up of Public Works Foreman Jake Edgar, Commissioner Brian Garner and commission Chair Dean Bullock. It was formed specifically to deal with the arsenic mitigation system.
The arsenic mitigation system initially went online on July 7, 2011, and was running well at first. But soon after, several residents in the Echo Bay neighborhood experienced sand and oxygen in their water. The system was turned off July 15, 2011, and underwent extensive flushing and testing.
After that, it was up and running smoothly and was only shut off so a dedicated draw line could be installed. The dedicated draw line was completed Sept. 7, 2011, and the entire system went back online Sept 8, 2011.[[In-content Ad]]
