PROJ00283

• Contract/PO #: FS0009X
• Contractor Name: Swink, Town of
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 0
• County: Otero
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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year 2020 gives a population of 2310. This population results in an average
density of 4.3 persons per acre, which is still relatively low density. To avoid
possible duplication or replacement of lines at a later date, the distribution
system gridwork should be sized to serve the maximum expected development within
the design area - i.e. population 2,310 or a population of 5.5 persons per acre.

4.2.2 Storage~ As shown in Table 4, the Town is deficient in required storage
capacity at the present time. In staging improvements it is only practical to add
storage capacity in relatively large increments (50,000 gallons or1l\ore).' It is
recommended the storage volume be added in two stages; (a) 100,000 gallons of
elevated storage should be constructed as soon as possible, (b) an additional
50-100,000 gallons of . elevated s!=Qrage should be added about year 2000-2005.,~The pre-
ferred tank locations are shown '6,n Plate' II and Figure' III. .

4.2.3 Water Supply Wells. Existing water supply wells are of sufficient
capacity to meet water use requirements throughout the design period. It is assumed
that pump replacements will be required on most of the wells during the design
period and it is possible that replacement wells will need to be drilled. Well
houses on some of the wells are considered inadequate and replacement of these well
houses are included in the improvement plan. Cost of pump replacement is included
in the operation and maintenance costs. Well permits and water rights adjudications
require metering of all water supply wells. Installation of meters on each of the
wells will be included in the improvement plan.

4.2.4 Water Treatment Facilities. As previously discussed in Chapter 2, the
quality of the existing water supplies does not meet U.S. Public Health Service
sttandards. Water treatment facilities are required in order to provide a good
potable water to the consumers. The troublesome characteristics of the raw water
supplies which require treatment are; (1) high total dissolved solids, (2) high
sodium content, (3) high sulphate content, and (4) high total hardness (alluvial
water only). Two alternative types of treatment were considered; (1) demineraliza-
tion by dual media ion exchange and (2) demineralization by Reverse osmosis. In
both alternatives, the alluvial water supply is treated and then blended with a
partially treated deep well water supply to produce the required quantity of potable
water. The final product water will comply in all respects with the maximum
allowable and recommended limits established by the U.S. Public Health Service for
potable water supplies. It should be noted at this time that both types of treatment
facilities are relatively complex, sophisticated and expensive to construct, operate
and maintain. Considerable time and effort has been expended seeking an acceptable
alternative without success. Existing supplies of deep well water will be inade-
quate in the immediate future. Additional supplies of deep well water are considered
virtually unobtainable due to existing state laws and interpretation by the courts. .
Water quality of the deep wells supplies requires essentially the same type of
treatment (although not as extensive) as the water quality of the alluvial well
supplies. The availability of a treated water supply via the proposed Arkansas
Valley pipeline cannot be confirmed at this time either as a reality or a date of
availability.

Flow diagram of the two alternative types of treatment facilities are shown in
Figures IV and V. Demineralization by Reverse osmosis is seleGted as the most feasible
alternative on the basis of both initial cost and long term operating and mainten-
ance costs. In addition to the economic disadvantage involved with the ion exchange
process it has the following inherent problems:

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