Udall, Heinrich, Luján Announce $2 Million for Eastern NM Rural Water Supply Project

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján welcomed a Bureau of Reclamation investment of $2 million for the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System Project to help deliver clean, reliable water to rural communities. The grant will fund continued construction of a pipeline to transport a new source of groundwater to Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding communities that make up the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority: Clovis, Grady, Elida, Melrose, Portales, Texico, and Roosevelt and Curry counties. The lawmakers have supported funding for the project throughout its development. The first phase of the project is nearly complete, and the groundwater phase that includes design of the pipeline is underway.

"This new funding for the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System project will help provide reliable access to clean water to Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding communities for years to come," said Udall, a member of the Appropriations Committee. "I'm proud to fight for smart investments in our water infrastructure as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and I will continue to push for resources to help New Mexico communities use water more efficiently and find long-term sustainable water solutions."

"This important investment will provide much needed water resources for communities in eastern New Mexico, including Cannon Air Force Base," Heinrich said. "Water is our most precious resource and is essential to our public health, economy, and the well being of our families. I will continue working to ensure these critical investments remain funded so that eastern New Mexico can depend on a reliable water supply."

"Whether it's for drinking, irrigation, or livestock, a reliable source of water is essential to our way of life in New Mexico," Luján said. "I am pleased that this funding will support the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System's efforts to deliver needed groundwater to Cannon Air Force Base and communities within Roosevelt and Curry counties."

Gayla Brumfield, chairwoman of the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority, said, "I am thrilled to learn of the announcement from the Bureau of Reclamation that our project will be receiving an additional $2 million. The Bureau of Reclamation had recently provided $747,000 earlier this fiscal year. This is the largest award to date. I would like to thank our delegation for their hard work and commitment to providing our communities with a sustainable water supply."