Gardnerville Ranchos wins extension on arsenic limit

Well 5 in the Gardnerville Ranchos was approved for a three-year extension to comply with revised arsenic standards.

As of Sept. 6, the Ranchos General Improvement District has three years to either get well 5 to comply with new standards by using filtering methods or to take it out of service.

"Eventually 5 might have to be sealed," said District Manager Bob Spellberg. "We ran it 1 1/2 months for heavy use time - we use it during prime pumping time. We'll put it to bed for the winter."

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lowered the maximum contaminate level for arsenic, effective the beginning of this year. The revised arsenic standard is 10 parts per billion. The old standard of 50 parts per billion had been in place for more than 60 years.

While the arsenic levels of the rest of the wells in the Ranchos are between 4 and 9 parts per billion, the current arsenic level of well 5 is 19 parts per billion. Water systems in Nevada with arsenic concentrations greater than 10 but below 50 parts per billion could have applied for a three-year exemption from the environmental commission.

"In that period, we have to show we're moving forward and not just buying time," said Spellberg. "That's one of the requirements of the extension."

Spellberg said the best way to treat arsenic is to not treat it at all but to close the well and dig a new one.

"There's just not that many places to build a new well so we're not infringing on private wells," he said. "We could close it down but if a developer wants to use it in the future and pay for arsenic treatment, we could use it again. It pumps 150 gallons per minute - it's a strong well and it's never given us any problems."

Well 5 was established in 1985 but it wasn't used in almost a year. At the first test, the well registered 25 parts per billion of arsenic but after it was used, the arsenic level dropped to 19.

The Ranchos Board of Trustees voted to accept the 90-unit subdivision Rocky Terrace Development's well for maintenance in their meeting Wednesday.

"They had their final test," said Spellberg. "We had questions about the flow but it's a strong little well. These gentlemen are anxious to get some permits."

Developer Jeff Pisciotta said the Rocky Terrace well is pumping like crazy.

"I encourage you to come by and see it," he said.

The arsenic level for the well is 8 parts per billion and it pumps between 800 to 1000 gallons per minute.