U.S. Water News Online
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Arizona state officials are floating the idea of pumping water from abandoned mines in Tombstone and using it to help the San Pedro River.
Water connected to hard rock mines is usually acidic and polluted with heavy metals. And for years the Tombstone mines were a dumping ground for sewage.
But an initial state study has found the mine water's quality is surprisingly good, though some form of treatment would be needed since tests found some violations of federal drinking water standards.
Officials with the Arizona Department of Water Resources say the idea is still in its infancy and they say they don't necessarily support it.
``It does warrant further study,'' said Tom Whitmer, manager of statewide water planning for the agency. But, he said, ``any pipeline or water coming from those mines -- if it occurs at all -- won't occur in the next 10 years.''
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