Las Cruces cleans up hazardous waste site

For more than a decade, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been working on a solution to clean up a hazardous waste site in Las Cruces.

The Griggs and Walnut Superfund site was designated in 2001 after EPA officials found toxic levels of a contaminant in four drinking-water wells in the city.

When the area was designated as a superfund site, it was placed on a list that fast-tracked it for cleanup.

The chemical that polluted the water, perchloroethylene (PCE), is a solvent that is usually used in dry cleaning or to clean grease off of cars.

“It has been linked to a variety ofhealth defects, so it’s not good to be in the drinking water,” said Samuel Coleman, EPA Region 6 Administrator.

Coleman told ABC-7 maintenance work in the area led to chemical spills. He said because of the type of soil in the area, the chemical seeped underground and into the aquifer, polluting the groundwater.

“Before any people were really exposed to adverse levels of PCE, wewere able to detect it and those wells were then shut down and notused to supply drinking water for Las Cruces,” Coleman said.

On Thursday, officials from the City of Las Cruces, Doa Ana County and the EPA unveiled a new water treatment plant meant to eradicate the contamination.

Inside the plant, machines strip the chemical from the water. The water is then sent back into the area’s water system to be used as groundwater, wastewater and drinking water.

Residents in the neighboring community seem to be pleased with the new plant.

“That’s great. That’s morewater for the community, especially if it’s clean. Hopefully it staysclean and I’m glad they’re finally cleaning it. What is that, like 20years?” Liz Jaquez said.

“Anything for betterwater. Our water is our main, we have to have good water,” said Phyllis Prince.

Plant workers told ABC-7 the facility should produce about 500,000 gallons of clean water a day.

“As everyone knows, youneed water for people and for sustainable growth within a city orcounty. In this particular area, water is extremely important. So bycleaning up this water, it really gives a great source of drinkingwater and allows for the city to continue to grow,” Coleman said.

Officials said the facility is going to cost about $335,000 a year to maintain and operate. It will be up to the city of Las Cruces and Doa Ana County to come up with the funds.