Regional water commission outlines multi‑phase project, cites $130 million in regional funds and need for $1 million to finish designs

Priscilla Lucero of the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments and volunteers updating the board described a multi‑jurisdictional regional water project designed to move water from airport wells and newly secured sources to several water associations across Grant County.

The presenters said early phases are substantially complete: five wells and a transmission line from the airport are in place, and Freeport McMoran has contributed additional water rights. “We’ve already received about $19,000,000 of investment,” Priscilla Lucero said, and the team has purchased about 675 acres earmarked for future housing and development tied to improved water delivery.

Why it matters: commissioners were told the project pools infrastructure and shares fixed costs so small water associations can benefit from lower per‑customer charges. Presenters said spreading costs over more accounts could lower a household’s fixed cost from an estimated $27 per month down to less than $1 once the system is fully shared.

The project’s finance plan relies on multiple public sources, including the New Mexico Unit funding cycle (a regional grant program), the New Mexico Finance Authority, the Water Trust Board and the Colonial Infrastructure (capital outlay) program. Lucero told commissioners the broader region has attracted approximately $130,000,000 in related investments and that pilot design and construction funding rounds are open now. “We are 90% designed for the project that would encompass Hanover to Santa Clara,” she said, but added that the remaining phases in Bayard still require additional design funds — roughly $1 million — and construction funding yet to be secured.

Commissioners pressed presenters on why funds described as available in the regional pool were not already flowing to local construction. Lucero said the money had encountered additional policy and administrative steps after being routed through the New Mexico Finance Authority and the Interstate Stream Commission; because the current request includes construction dollars, it has been treated as a pilot requiring policy development and multiple board approvals, which slowed disbursement. “We did get caught up in some of the bureaucracy,” she said, adding staff are coordinating to combine pilot awards with other sources so the pot grows rather than depletes.

Technical and planning context: presenters noted that while Silver City has done recent hydrology and recharge studies, many special districts have not updated their 40‑year water plans since the 1990s. That data gap complicates decisions about long‑term supply, recharge, and interconnection. The presenters also said the project team has been working on a joint project agreement, but prefer a legislatively created authority to reduce the risk that a single partner could withdraw and stall the entire capital‑intensive effort.

What’s next: the presenters said they will pursue remaining design funding, apply for New Mexico Unit grant cycles (a forthcoming $14 million opportunity was cited), and continue pilot applications for design and construction. Commissioners were advised the project team will also pursue alternative grants and capital outlay to avoid local debt burdens.

The board did not take a formal vote on a funding appropriation at this meeting; staff said updates and application milestones will return for future consideration.