PROJECT INFORMATION:
The city of Torrington received financing from the 1998 legislature to complete a new municipal
well field and bring the water into the town's distribution system. It is anticipated that loan funds
will be offset by financing from RUS.
The purpose of the project is to replace older high nitrate wells with new wells located closer to
the North Platte River, which are expected to be lower in nitrates. This approach has been used
successfully in other communities in the region. Project components include wells, pumps,
electrical service, control and disinfection facilities, telemetry, booster pumps, pipe, and
appurtenances.
The sponsor has explored groundwater at two locations. The first site had insufficient aquifer
thickness and the second site had uranium concentrations in excess of drinking water standards.
Independent of this funding, the city has installed reverse osmosis treatment units on four wells in
the city. This action was necessary to comply with an EPA administrative order. Ownership of
treatment units coupled with the inability to find groundwater that meets all drinking water
standards has resulted in a shift in the project to seek relatively good quality water closer to the
city in an effort to reduce pipeline and related capital costs and operationally to reduce but not
eliminate treatment.
Wells are being drilled near the municipal golf course. Once the water quality and quantity is
known the city, funding agencies, and engineer will devise a plan to complete the project.
RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
No legislative action is required.