Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández Announce $160 Million In Infrastructure Funding For Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System Pipeline

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) announced the first installment of funding, $160 million, from the Infrastructure Law to support the completion of the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System pipeline in eastern New Mexico.

The project, led by the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority (ENMWUA), is constructing a water pipeline from the Ute Reservoir to Clovis, Portales, Cannon Air Force Base, Texico, and Elida.

“I’m proud of the work we have done with the ENMWUA and multiple community leaders for over a decade to advance the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System pipeline to where we are today. Thanks to historic funding from the Infrastructure Law, we are cutting the construction timeline in half so that this incredible community effort can provide cities in eastern New Mexico and Cannon Air Force Base with a dependable, reliable water supply for generations to come,” said Heinrich.

“The health of our communities begins with access to clean, affordable water,” said Luján. “That’s why I’m proud to have voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is delivering a $160 million investment Eastern New Mexico’s critical water infrastructure. As New Mexico continues to face a groundwater shortage that risks the health of our economy and the public, this investment will allow our communities access to a reliable water supply for generations to come.”

“Immediately upon joining Congress, I began advocating for rural water project investments in our communities. Last year, I led a bipartisan letter to fully fund the Bureau of Reclamation’s Rural Water program and secured $17.4 million in the omnibus for the Eastern New Mexico Water Supply Project. These investments paired with this infusion of $160 million from the Infrastructure and Jobs Act will help complete the project, shaving more than a decade off the timeline so our communities, businesses, and families could have access to clean, affordable water,” said Leger Fernández.

“No one understands the value of a reliable water source more than New Mexicans. As we continue to feel the effects of ongoing drought and climate change, it is more important than ever to deliver clean water to all New Mexicans,” said New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “I am proud to work with our federal and local partners, as well as state legislators and the Congressional delegation, to advance this critical project in eastern New Mexico.”

“On behalf of the ENMWUA and the citizens of our member communities, I am grateful for this amount of funding. This will take us far in the construction of this critically important project. We appreciate everyone involved who made this funding available, from the Biden Administration, our New Mexico Congressional delegation, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, State Legislators, and the representatives of our member communities,” said Michael Morris, ENMWUA Chairman and Mayor of Clovis.

“We’re excited to have received this funding. This will allow us to advance the pipeline project much sooner than anticipated,” said Ron Jackson, ENMWUA Vice Chairman and Mayor of Portales.

Senator Heinrich, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, played a critical role in securing a provision in the Infrastructure Law that authorizes $5,000,000,000 for Fiscal Years 2022-2026 for western water programs, including funding the current estimate of the federal share of the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water Project.