Clovis to partner with EPCOR on $1.8M brackish‑water grant application to test deep wells

City staff presented a proposal to partner with EPCOR in applying for a 2026 New Mexico Environment Department Strategic Water Supply grant to evaluate brackish deep‑water options. EPCOR has requested the city act as fiscal agent because it is not an eligible applicant; EPCOR would lead site identification, engineering and exploratory drilling if the proposal is funded.

Staff described the grant as $1,800,000 and said EPCOR would perform project management and coordinate consultants for test well siting and feasibility. "It is exciting opportunity, and we're hopeful when we do apply that the project will get approved, and we'll do some exploratory drilling," said Kevin Rose (EPCOR). The commission voted unanimously to authorize submittal of the grant application and support the partnership.

City staff framed the effort as complementary to other regional water initiatives, including the long‑term raw water conveyance project and a secretary‑commissioned brackish‑water study that will include four test wells; the partnership is intended to identify additional supply options beyond the Ogallala.