New Mexico secures $20 million in funding for water transmission pipelines
The Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority (ENMWUA) has an agreement with the New Mexico Water Trust Board and Finance Authority for $20 million, which will complete the budget for the Raw Water 1A (RW1A) 14.4-mile transmission pipeline project.

The $20 million allocation includes a 90% grant ($18 million) and a 10% loan ($2 million). With this funding now available, ENMWUA is set to move forward with the RW1A project, which is an important phase in the transmission pipeline development. The ENMWUA will be issuing requests for proposals (RFPs) for the RW1A project in early 2025. This phase is the second of three raw water pipelines of the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System (ENMRWS).
The ENMWUA is currently working on all phases of the ENMRWS. Project phases under construction include Finished Water 1 (FW1), a 15.5-mile transmission pipeline from northwest of Cannon Air Force Base (CAFB) to the future water treatment facility, Finished Water 3B (FW3B), the remaining 5.7 miles that connects the ENMRWS to the City of Portales, and Raw Water 3 (RW3), 21.7 miles of pipeline from the WTP location to edge of Caprock.
During its November 14, 2024, meeting, the ENMWUA Board approved going out to bid on the Texico Lateral that connects to the City of Texico. All remaining phases of the ENMRWS are currently being designed with the schedule of completing the full project by 2031.
ENMWUA Chairman Mike Morris expressed his appreciation: “We are grateful for the WTB's support, which is crucial for our ongoing efforts to secure a sustainable water supply for our communities.”
ENMWUA Vice-Chairman Jim Lucero added: “The state's backing is invaluable in helping us achieve our mission of providing reliable water resources.”
The Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System, federally authorized in 2009, aims to provide potable water to four city member agencies and Cannon Air Force Base from Ute Reservoir. The ENMWUA was established by the New Mexico State Legislature on July 1, 2010, and includes Clovis, Portales, Texico, and Elida
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