Leadville Water Issues in the News
Leadville Water Issues in the News
April 7, 2008 3:24 pm
The water buildup in a Leadville mine tunnel does not pose a threat to our campus, according to a water expert.
A message from Executive Director Christopher Barnes
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - Update
HMI sought professional advice on the implications of this issues and was directed to contact Jord Gertson of SourceWater Consulting, LLC by the Lake County Commissioners. Jord has worked with many of the various entities involved on this issue. Jord’s analysis of HMI’s situation is: “HMI is not in any immediate danger from groundwater issues at the LMDT [Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel]. The potential to impact your well water quality is also extremely low… In my opinion you and your clients should not lose sleep over this, as HMI is well beyond the zone of potential impact.”
For more information on Jord and SourceWater see http://homepage.mac.com/sourcewater/Menu8.html.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
(Updated, Thursday, February 21, 2008)
Dear Friend of HMI,
By now, many of you have heard about Leadville and its water supply in the news, and I want to clarify what it all means.
The historic mining district is on the east side of the town of Leadville. There is an old mine drainage tunnel that is trapping potentially contaminated water. Ideally, that water would go through the treatment plant. There is some worry that the trapped water is rising and that it will eventually blow through the blockage--thus sending contaminated water into the Arkansas River.
Upon review, officials do not believe that released water will contaminate Leadville’s water supply. In event that the town’s winter water supply becomes contaminated, Parkville Water plans to shut off those sources and use water from other places. Most of the water that Parkville uses is not in any danger of contamination.
You should also know that HMI does not use city water. We have a well right here on campus. Our campus is over five miles from town and on the other side of the Arkansas River drainage from the affected area. Even if the contaminated water is released, we don’t anticipate any impact on our water supply. We have had the water quality tested in the past and have begun the process to test our well water at regular intervals.
Secondly, our campus is 6.7 miles away from the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Treatment Plant. Areas close to the plant are of primary concern for flooding.
Finally, HMI does not run wilderness expeditions in the area of concern.
Federal, state, and local officials have plans to begin mitigating the source of the problem. Under this plan, the EPA will drill a shaft into the tunnel and pump water through a new pipeline to a water-treatment plant. This will relieve pressure behind the blockage.
I understand that many of you have concerns about the water situation. Please be assured that we are confident in our ability to continue to offer the same high quality, innovative educational experience on our Lake County campus that has been the hallmark of HMI since its inception ten years ago.
The safety of HMI faculty, staff, and students remains our paramount concern and know that we will keep the entire HMI community updated with new information as it arises.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions about this situation. I can be reached at 719-486-8200, ext 101 or Christopher@hminet.org.
Sincerely,
Christopher Barnes
Executive Director
February 19, 2008
HMI and Katie Redding of the Leadville Chronicle compiled the following Frequently Asked Questions.
Where is the problem centered?
The Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Treatment Plant is located several miles northeast of the HMI campus. HMI is located 5.5 miles west of the city of Leadville, and the Village at East Fork is located approximately two miles north of Leadville.
Is Leadville a safe place to be?
The Lake County Commissioners believe it is. The commissioners’ concern is primarily centered on those residents who live in close proximity to the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Treatment Plant at the Village at East Fork located off Highway 91, north of Leadville.
Why did the commissioners declare a State of Emergency on Feb. 13?
The commissioners were concerned about rising groundwater on the east side of Leadville. Leadville’s groundwater has been rising for years; however, the emergence of springs in California Gulch, combined with the soon-to-be-melting record snowpack, inspired immediate action.
Sources: Lake County Board of County Commissioners, SourceWater Consulting, Frontier Environmental Services, Paul Copper.