ANDREWS, TX (KWES) – The city of Andrews has been looking for ways to fix the high levels of arsenic and fluoride in their ground water.
“This has actually been in the works for about ten years,” said Andrews City Manager, Glen Hackler.
The new $5.5 million water supply facility opened their doors today after years of planning and working on a way to filter out harmful chemicals. Arsenic and fluoride levels in Andrews have been high for years. A study conducted by the Environmental Integrity Project revealed in 2014 and 2015, arsenic levels were almost triple the mandated level.
“Once we were no longer meeting the state and federal standards, we knew that we needed to develop something that would really improve the quality of the water for the long term,” said Hackler.
For three years, the city worked with state and federal government to create a new technology called activated alumina.
“Developing a technology that could not only be good for Andrews, but be a prototype for other cities as well,” said Hackler.
The chemicals are injected into the groundwater at a high speed to remove the excessive amounts of arsenic and fluoride and provide what the city says, is superior quality water.
“We are committed to keeping our community safe and secure and water is one of those basic necessities. It’s a top priority for us and we will keep it as a top priority,” said Mayor Flora Braly.
Engineers say the well water that is being pumped today will last the city for the next 75 to a 100 years.
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