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City water is the primary source of water for domestic use east of • <br />the North Fork of the Pun7atoire River. Water is piped in a southeasterly <br />direction along the North Fork via an aqueduct and then east to the north <br />side of Highway 12. With the exception of two residents, everyone <br />contacted uses city water. These exceptions are wells 15 and 16. City <br />water is not available to the west of the North Fork so these residents <br />rely on wells. <br />The well inventory suggests there are tco basic sources of well <br />water. the first system consists of an alluvial aquifer or springs along <br />the Middle Fork of the Purgatoire River. The second system is localized <br />subsurface water in the highlands south of the Middle Fork of the <br />Purgatoire River above the New Elk and Golden Eagle Mines. The wells along <br />the Purgatorie River are generally less than 100 feet deep. The exception <br />to this are WFC's wells 7 and 8. The water bearing strata is believed to <br />be associated with the Puryatoire alluvial aquifer system as defined by <br />Water, Waste and Land. The subsurface water in the highlands is believed <br />to be associated with upper coal seams. <br />Wells 12, 13 and 14 are actually cisterns. These cisterns have <br />been in use for over 50 years. No problems were reported in water quality <br />or quantity. The water level in the cisterns varies slightly with seasons. <br />This variation suggests that the cisterns are tied to the available runoff, <br />infiltration and the Purgatoire River. <br />Wells 15, 16 and 17 were the only wells identified east of the <br />North Fork of the Pucgatoire River. Well 15 (cistern) which is currently <br />in use is believed to be spring fed fran a northeasterly direction because <br />of the presence of springs to the north in Santistevan Canyon. The water <br />quality is reported to be excellent with no problems in quantity. Well 16 <br />is approximaterly 60 feet deep. This well produces poor quality water. <br />Chavez (1984) described the water as having a terrible odor. This water is <br />believed to have been completed in an upper coal seam with H2S contributing <br />to the bad odor. Well 16 has probably tapped an upper coal seam producing <br />the same results. Well 17 is no longer used because of the availability of <br />city water. This well also had an odor which was believed to be H2S. <br />2.04-22 <br />