Communities must unite on arsenic issue

In the days leading up to the "Arsenic & Old West" water conference in McCook, national efforts have been launched to help small towns raise the money needed to meet strict new federal standards.

This past Monday, U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici of New Mexico introduced legislation to create a $1.9 billion grant program to assist the communities, tribes and water associations that are struggling to comply with the arsenic limitation.

Joining Domenici as co-sponsors are U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico.

Along with U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson and U.S. Rep. Tom Osborne of Nebraska, who will be speaking at the water conference in McCook, the sponsoring senators are concerned because of the heavy burden the arsenic limits will place on small towns.

In New Mexico alone, Sen. Domenici estimates it will take communities between $370 million to $440 million to comply, and that doesn't count another $18 million in annual operating costs.

The large expense is necessary because of new regulations handed down by the Environmental Protection Agency. The rules--which will take effect in 2006 -- lower the arsenic level in drinking water from 50 parts per billion to 10 parts per billion.

Western states--including Nebraska and New Mexico--are hit hardest by the ruling because arsenic is naturally occurring in their drinking water supplies.

Despite that fact, there is no confirmed scientific evidence that western states' arsenic levels adversely affect the health of the people who live there.

The issue is of sufficient importance for this region that a group of area mayors have called a day-long conference to discuss the issue. Called the "Arsenic & Old West" water conference, the session will take place in three and a half weeks -- Wednesday, Aug. 20--at D's Place, the site of the former Elks Club in McCook. Tickets, which cost $25 each, are available in advance through Sue Shaner, Dean of Business and Community Education at McCook Community College. She may be reached by writing to her at the college, 1205 East Third Street, McCook, NE 69001, or by e-mailing her at shaners@mpcca.cc.ne.us. Her toll-free telephone number is (800) 658-4383, ext. 225.

Because it is such an important issue for this area, every incorporated town or village in Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas needs to be represented. By working together, we have a better chance of having our voices heard in Washington. Thanks to Sen. Domenici, action has begun. Let's help keep the ball rolling. Let's unite for action at the water conference.