Tribal Water System

Water quality monitoring activities for the Tribal Water System as well as individual homeowner wells are continuously under way. The following are some of the events that were conducted during the past year and that are being worked on currently.

• Monitoring and maintenance activities for the Tribal Water System are conducted on a regular schedule. The wells are routinely sampled for bacteriological and chemical contaminants as required by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).
• The Tribal Water System well #2 has been upgraded and includes a new well house to enclose the well head and chlorination system. Perimeter fencing was installed to secure the well head from livestock and other potential contaminants and to deter vandalism. Funding for the project was through the USEPA Source Water Protection Program.
  
  

  Well #2 Before Renovations

  

  Well #2 After Renovations

• Funds were received from USEPA and the Indian Health Service to renovate well #1. Renovation is in progress and will be brought to the same standards as well # 2 located at the water tower.
• The Office of Environmental Services has developed a Drinking Water Management Plan for the Tribal Water System.

Wastewater System

• The Tribal wastewater collection system (sewer) is routinely monitored by the Office of Environmental Services and is in good working order.
• A new wastewater disposal lagoon was built in 2000 through HUD-ICDBG funding and construction was by the Indian Health Service, Office of Environmental Health and Engineering, Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Groundwater Sampling

The Central Oklahoma Aquifer lies below the Iowa Nation boundaries and provides drinking water for many of the rural residents. The water quality from this aquifer is monitored by state, federal, and tribal entities. Currently, the OES uses funds from the U.S. EPA General Assistance Program to sample Tribal members' wells within the jurisdictional boundary.

• For several years, sampling events were conducted for individual Tribal member wells in the northern portion of our jurisdictional boundary. The samples were analyzed for organic and inorganic chemicals, uranium, bacteria, and other potential contaminants as required by USEPA. Homeowner's were notified and recommendations made if results were above USEPA maximum contaminant levels.
• In 2008, Tribal members wells in the southern portion of the Tribe's jurisdictional boundary were analyzed for organic and inorganic chemicals, uranium, bacteria, and other potential contaminants. The purpose of the sampling activities is to assist Tribal members with having quality drinking water and to develop a database of groundwater quality for future reference.

For further information on groundwater programs and services please contact Ron Osburn at
Phone: 405-547-5433 ext. 352
Email: rosburn@iowanation.org