Eastern New Mexico secures $77 million for major rural water pipeline project
CLOVIS, N.M. (UI) — The Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority has secured $77 million in federal funding to continue construction of the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System, a long-term water infrastructure project designed to supply communities in eastern New Mexico with renewable surface water.
The funding, provided through the United States Bureau of Reclamation, will support construction of approximately 16.3 miles of large-diameter pipeline tied to the regional system.
Officials said the project is intended to deliver water from Ute Reservoir to Clovis, Portales, Texico, Elida and Cannon Air Force Base as communities continue facing declining groundwater supplies from the Ogallala Aquifer.
The latest federal appropriation, combined with recent state funding awards, brings recent project funding totals to nearly $96 million, according to the utility authority. The pipeline segments represent the final major transmission sections needed before surface water delivery can begin.
ENMWUA Board Chair Mike Morris said construction on the regional system has been ongoing for several years and remains on track to begin delivering water within the next five years.
“We are excited to continue progress on the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System,” Morris said.
Officials expect bidding on the remaining major pipeline segment to begin later this year, with construction anticipated to start in 2027.
Related News
From Archive
- OSHA investigates fatal trench collapse at Conroe construction site
- Final Lake Erie sewer tunnel project set to begin after decades-long $3 billion effort
- Oil pipeline struck during fiber optic construction spills into L.A. storm drains
- Fiber drilling strike triggers major sewer failure, lawsuits in Florida
- OSHA cites Alabama builder after fatal trench collapse
- Race Communications breaks ground on Bakersfield fiber network
- Final Lake Erie sewer tunnel project set to begin after decades-long $3 billion effort
- Inside Infrastructure: Utility locators warn of systemic failures in damage prevention process
- Senate passes PIPELINE Safety Act aimed at strengthening buried utility protection
Comments