After hoping for years, residents in a small rural enclave of Aztec, New Mexico may finally be on the verge of obtaining potable water via a pipeline.
Members of the New Mexico State Legislature have voted to approve more than $18 million in capital outlay funding for a variety of projects in San Juan County.
Of that amount, some $2 million will go to fund the construction of an 8-mile long pipeline that will connect the East Culpepper Flats with a water distribution system run by the North Star Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association.
As it now stands, water to the subdivision is hauled in by a truck capable of transporting up to 2,000 gallons from a standing tank that holds around 32,000 gallons of water.
The pipeline project, which would be built near Country Road 1350 and New Mexico State Road 574, has been regarded as a priority item in need of state dollars for several years by San Juan County officials.
An earlier capital outlay approved by state lawmakers provided funding for the pipeline project’s design.
The $2 million construction outlay must still be approved by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
By Garry Boulard
