A combination of reverse osmosis and putting water back into the aquifer for storage and restoration at a total cost of $45.9 million may be the saving grace for the future of the city's water.
At Thursday's special meeting of the Hastings Board of Public Works that included about 20 guests, HDR Engineering of Omaha presented its Well Based Nitrate and Uranium Management Plan.
Contaminants in the city's water have been a concern for decades as nitrates seeping into the groundwater gradually move toward the city's water supply. Uranium, another contaminant, also has been found in water samples taken north and west of Hastings within the last two years.
"Approximately 2016 is when we may experience an issue where the loss of some wells and the increase of the population or demand will cross where we might not have quite enough water," said Glenn Dostal, HDR project manager.
To read more, see Friday's Hastings Tribune or the Tribune e-edition.>>>
