It's been 12 years since the central Nebraska village of Clarks learned their water contained dangerous levels of uranium. Now, after years of failed attempts to fix it, they're finally one big step closer to a permanent solution.

State agencies found the high uranium levels in 2000.

"We had over 200 parts per billion, which was the highest in the state," Clarks Mayor Jim Kava says.

That's when state Health and Human Services began warning Clarks residents of the health risks associated with drinking and cooking with that water.

"A lot of people were just used to it," Kava says. "Until the state notified us, we didn't even really know it was there."

The village began providing bottled water for residents, as well as large jugs residents could fill for free at two locations in town.

"You had to go, pick it up, bring it home," Clarks resident Janet Myers says.

Myers says when planning for guests, she always had to think ahead and stock up on extra water. Even when making coffee in her insurance office, employees had to pick up water from either the village office or Clarks convenience store.

It was a process people in Clarks had no choice but to grow accustomed to.

"We've lived here long enough we just kind of worked with it," Village Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Gress says.

But soon, they'll no longer have to live with the inconveniences. A new water treatment plant is now pumping safe water into village homes and businesses.

Kava says since construction on the plant was completed in early January, the first two tests have come back with no traces of uranium in the water.

But Health and Human Services hasn't given full approval just yet.

"The state wants us to continue to test for two or three more weeks and then once a month for six months to make sure it's out of there," Kava says.

Until then, they're still recommending people use bottled water.

But residents have already noticed improvements in the quality of their tap water.

"When you look in the bathtub when it fills, it's crystal clear instead of maybe having a little tinge to it," Myers says.

Myers says drinking water straight from the faucets, using their ice makers and eliminating those trips to pick up water will feel like a luxury.

"To have it where we can just turn on the faucet and be secure that it's something that's ok to drink, we feel really spoiled," Myers says.

Village Board members expect Health and Human Services to approve the water for drinking after they've received test results indicating four weeks straight of safe levels.