CASTLEFORD — Six months ago Castleford residents passed a revenue bond to improve the water system and to build an arsenic treatment facility.

Since then work has begun on the $1.6 million project.

In about a month residents will see the beginning of the overhaul, said Don Acheson, an engineer with Riedesel & Associates in Twin Falls, the firm hired by the city to assist in fixing the water problem.

“Part of the project includes drilling a new well for the city,” Acheson said. “And that should start in about a month.“

In the meantime, Riedesel & Associates have entered into the proposal stage on the arsenic treatment, which is required because the water is above the Environmental Protection Agency’s acceptable guidelines of 10 parts per billion. Currently the water is at 22 ppb.

“We sent proposal notices to about a dozen vendors,” Acheson said. “We are accepting questions until the 16th and proposals are due the 20th.“

So far no proposals have been received.

“With these types of projects they come in closer to and on the last day,” he said. “Then the Citizen Committee will review them.“

The committee is made of Mayor Rita Ruffing and five other Castleford residents, including Council member Pansy Pettit.

“They are very important to the process,” Acheson said. “The proposals will be very complex. Of course we need to evaluate the beginning cost of the treatment and the operating costs as well, but there are many independent variables to consider in making our final decision of what treatment to use.“

He explained that vendor references and availability are just a couple of other things the committee will need to consider.

“I picked the group to represent Castleford and these people have shown an interest in the project from the beginning,” said Ruffing.

“We have an important job in seeking what is best for the city.”

Pettit agrees.

“We need to make sure that our system is prepared for growth, regardless of if the locals like it or not — growth is coming,” Pettit said. “I think that those on the committee are a good cross section of Castleford and we will sort through what we need to make the right decision.“

By Dec. 1, Acheson said that the committee should have its final proposal ready.

“Right now there isn’t a lot of exciting things going on with Castleford’s project, but residents should know that it is still in the works,” he said.

Times-News correspondent Blair Koch can be reached at blairkoch@gmail.com or by calling 316-2607.