Luján Celebrates Completion of Critical Water Infrastructure Projects in Rural Doña Ana County, Recognizes New Mexico Workers

Anthony, N.M. – On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) visited the Anthony Water Treatment Plant to celebrate the completion of two federally funded water infrastructure projects that he helped to fund in rural Doña Ana County. Senator Luján secured funding for the Border Environment Infrastructure Fund (BEIF), which allowed for the completion of these water infrastructure projects that have now connected rural homes to essential wastewater treatment services.

“It was a privilege to celebrate the completion of two vital water infrastructure projects in Doña Ana County. I’m proud to have secured funding for these projects through the Environmental Protection Agency and its Border Environment Infrastructure Fund,”said Senator Luján. “Projects like these don’t happen without workers making them happen, and workers don’t work without projects like these.”

“The new wastewater collection system in Sleepy Farms provides cleaner water, safer sanitation, and reduces the risk of groundwater contamination. In Anthony, the replacement of 23,000 feet of aging water lines ensures consistent, safe drinking water for 1,795 residents by preventing leaks, improving pressure, and reducing water loss,”continued Senator Luján. “Water is life in New Mexico, and we cannot afford to waste a single drop.”

Project 1: Wastewater Collection System Extension and Improvements for Doña Ana County, New Mexico 

The Project constructed a new wastewater collection system in an unincorporated area commonly known as Sleepy Farms, and rehabilitated a nearby Lift Station. Both components are near Vado in Doña Ana County, New Mexico. 

The project will prevent groundwater contamination and reduce the risks of waterborne diseases by providing first-time wastewater collection services to 31 homes in the Sleepy Farms area and eliminating substandard and failing septic systems. The new system will collect an estimated 9,400 gallons per day (GPD) of wastewater for treatment and improve service for an additional 2,050 existing connections by increasing the reliability and efficiency of lift station #7, as well as preventing the risk of up to approximately 400,000 GPD of wastewater spills. 
 
Project 2: Water Distribution System Improvements for Anthony, New Mexico 
 
The project rehabilitated nearly 23,000 linear feet of deteriorated water distribution lines in Anthony, NM, to ensure reliable drinking water services for approximately 560 existing residential connections by reducing risks of leaks and line breaks.  An estimated 1,795 residents in Anthony will benefit from the project. 

Anthony Water and Sanitation District (AWSD) provides water and wastewater services to the community of Anthony NM. AWSD currently provides services to approximately 2,900 residential connections or a population of approximately 9,950. Parts of the utility’s water distribution system date back to the mid-1900’s, have reached the end of their service life, and create maintenance issues for AWSD. 

This project rehabilitated AWSD’s water lines in the Kaylar and Timbers Subdivisions, which had outdated pipes from the 1950s prone to frequent breaks and water losses. The area had issues with inadequate water flow, lack of fire suppression, and limited access to lines. Upgrades to the system will provide reliable drinking water for around 1,795 people, reduce water losses to under 20%, and improve overall water management, ensuring safer, more sustainable water services.

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