Investments from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda fund next phase of Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System.
Deputy Commissioner Payne, Senators Heinrich and Lujan, along with the Eastern New Mexico Utility Authority breaking ground on the next phase of the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System.
CLOVIS, N.M. – The Bureau of Reclamation today joined the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority and the state of New Mexico to break ground on the next phase of a water project to bring a safe, reliable water supply to eastern New Mexico.
When completed, the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System will convey water from Ute Reservoir to approximately 70,000 people in the municipalities of Clovis, Elida, Portales, Texico, Roosevelt County, and Cannon Air Force Base.
President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes an overall $8.3 billion for Reclamation water infrastructure projects over five years to advance drought resilience and expand access to clean water for families, farmers and wildlife. Reclamation has announced over $222 million in funds already from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System to expedite work on the project.
“The President’s Investing in America agenda is giving us this opportunity to provide immediate funding to accelerate the construction timelines on projects like this,” said Deputy Commissioner Grayford Payne. “As drought intensifies in the West, we must act quickly to ensure these communities have a stable water supply to continue to thrive.”
“We value the partnership with these communities and New Mexico with a common goal of supplementing the groundwater supply of the area as the Ogallala Aquifer continues to decline,” said Albuquerque Area Manager Jennifer Faler. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding is giving them the opportunity to advance the system for future generations.”
The Finished Water One portion of the project, now under construction, includes 15 miles of pipeline that will deliver water from the future water treatment plant to other completed pipelines and laterals serving the member communities. The entire system will include approximately 120 miles of pipe, two raw water pump stations, a water intake facility, a smaller finished water booster pump station, storage tanks and a water treatment plant. To date, construction is finished on the intake structure, 9 miles of the Finished Water Two and Canon Lateral, and 13 miles of the Finished Water 3A pipeline.
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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.
