Saturday, June 23, 2007

Tech funds address water

Systems might have problems meeting new compliance standards

Louis Calderon El Defensor Chieftain Intern

The Environmental Finance Center at New Mexico Tech was chosen last month to be the recipient of a $222,222 grant that will soon be put into play as of August.

New Mexico Tech has extensive experience working with Region 6 states, thus allowing them to submit a proposal. The region includes New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.

"The money will be used to help states in the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 comply with water issues such as the Safe Drinking Water Act," said Heather Himmelberger, director of the New Mexico EFC.

The Safe Drinking Water Act is a United States federal law passed in 1974 that ensures safe drinking water in the U.S. With this law in place, the EPA is allowed to set the standards for drinking water quality.

In addition to the act, Himmelberger said the money will be used to address issues such as wastewater systems sustainability so that the systems can run themselves now and in the future. She said that motor systems will also be aided in having reasonable rates to meet their expenses.

Himmelberger said that there's going to be a lot of water systems that are going to have problems meeting the new arsenic compliance standards, and this will also be an area of concern.

Van D. Romero, vice president for Research and Economic Development at Tech, said the money will also be used to address repair work due to erosion and other environmental problems on campus, in the city, and in the county.

The New Mexico EFC has been affiliated with Tech since July 2003 and previously with the University of New Mexico.

Romero said public hearings about the award will be held at the end of summer or beginning of fall.

The money was awarded to Tech by the EPA on May 21.

lcalderon@dchieftain.com

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