CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON ARSENIC TREATMENT PLANT
By Harrison J. Bahe
In the early morning hours of August 7th, 2024, the Community and Economic Development (CEDD) Department hosted an event that would signal the start of construction for an Arsenic Treatment Plant for the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element in the earth’s crust that can dissolve into rivers and streams when water flows through certain rock formations. Arsenic is a health hazard and the most significant chemical contaminant in drinking water globally. Drinking water with high levels of arsenic can cause a number of health effects such as skin discoloration, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, disorders of the heart, lungs, liver, immune, nervous, or reproductive systems, cancer, numbness and tingling in the extremities, and muscle cramping based on research done by the World Health Organization. “Fort McDowell has always been above the EPA standard but it’s never been anything really catastrophic where you would have to shut down a water system.” CEDD Director Orlando Moreno shared at the groundbreaking ceremony.
The water treatment plant has been in the works since the Pattea Administration in 2015 and the fruition of that idea from so many years ago culminated in the groundbreaking ceremony hosted this morning. Construction of the treatment plant will last for a total of 510 days. “The project is designed to improve water quality for the entire Fort McDowell community. It is designed to bring arsenic levels below the EPA maximum contaminant level of 10 parts per billion.” Project Planning Manager for CEDD Erika McCalvin announced at the groundbreaking ceremony.
“This plant has been designed by NCS Engineers and will be constructed by Courier Construction. Project supervision will be carried out by NCS Engineers, Indian Health Services, and Community and Economic Development (CEDD).” Erika McCalvin shared. The construction of the water treatment plant should have very little effect on day to day life of the community. “There would be minimal noise, a little dust, no pollution, and minor traffic changes near the intersection of Fort McDowell Road and Harquahula Road.”
“This project would not be possible without the federal government’s assistance. The EPA and IHS combined $5.7 million for this treatment facility and the tribe’s cost is $500,000, “President Sandra Pattea shared. “We appreciate the federal government, all of them, [and] everybody who’s affiliated with this project for making this possible.”
Following a traditional blessing bestowed by Hart Preston Jr., key members of the project’s construction and the tribal council broke ground signaling the start of a long awaited project that began in early 2015 and should conclude in late 2025. The future water treatment plant will be located a little northeast from the Public Works building on Harquahala Road.
