A bill currently pending in the New Mexico State Legislature would allow for the use of up to $50 million in state funding for rural water projects across the state.
As proposed by Senator Liz Stefanics, the legislation, Senate Bill 18, would put new funding into the Water Trust Fund beginning in fiscal year 2023.
According to an analysis of the bill compiled by the Legislative Finance Committee, the Water Trust Fund has not received a state appropriation in the last 15 years.
Lawmakers and others have long complained that state funding for water projects tends to end up in larger metropolitan areas, even though the need for updated and modernized water infrastructure projects in rural areas remains great.
Senator Stefanics’ legislation has so far won the unanimous approval of the Senate Conservation Committee.
A report called the 50-Year Water Plan looking at water issues in New Mexico, including the issue of inadequate infrastructure, is expected to be finalized and sent to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham this summer.
By Garry Boulard
