If North Dallas Water can get a grant, residents in one of the county’s small communities will have cleaner drinking water, according to officials.

Currently, residents of the Wagon Wheel community face water plagued with bacteria.

“Over the years, a lot of folks bodies have built up a tolerance to the bacteria, but it does not mean that it is not unhealthy,” said Hart Sims, General Manager for North Dallas Water.

According to Sims, continued exposure to this type of bacteria can cause stunted growth in addition to other types of sicknesses.

The Wagon Wheel area of Dallas County, which is home to about 120 people, has been plagued by contaminated well water for years, she said.

In an effort to prevent further exposure to this bacteria, the North Dallas Water Board recently submitted a grant application to secure funds to extend water to this community.

According to Hart, it was physically impossible to serve the residents until the well and tank that went into service last June was in place.

If the grant is approved, water lines will be run to County Road 711, and then be run under a creek to provide emergency

service to a nearby community.

“These wells also have a high level of sodium,” said Janey Galbraith, of Galbraith & Associates, L.L.C. “That contributes to high blood pressure.”

North Dallas Water should know by Labor Day if the project is funded. If so, construction on the water system will begin in early spring of next year.