Jim Baushke, chairman of the Douglas County commission did the honors last week during a special ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of a new well and treatment facility in Sheridan Acres.
The $975,000 project will improve the overall water supply in that area of the county, as well as provide improvements to local fire-fighting capabilities.
Once part of the Sheridan Acres Water Co., the system was acquired by the county who in turn initiated the improvements. It serves 92 homes, according to Lisa Granahan, assistant to County Manager Dan Holler.
"This marks the completion of Phase 1, the well drilling and water treatment plant," she said. "We're advertising bids for the second phase, a 275,000-gallon storage tank and we'll have the bid opening Oct. 17."
The tank will provide adequate operating storage for emergency reserves and fire protection. It is under design and should be constructed in 2007, according to county officials.
The well, which pumps 120 gallons a minute, is slightly acid due to the high concentration of carbon dioxide in the water. The treatment facility will remove the excess carbon dioxide, bringing the pH into the alkaline range, 7.6 to 7.8.
The pH of human blood is also slightly alkaline, at about 7.41.
n Susie Vasquez can be reached at svasquez@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 211.
