WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced more than $9 million in grants and loans for the Garfield Mutual Domestic Water Consumers and Sewage Works Association and La Luz Mutual Domestic Water Consumers and Mutual Sewer Works Association to build and improve water and wastewater infrastructure for colonias in Southern New Mexico.
The Garfield Mutual Domestic Water Consumers and Sewage Works Association will receive a $6,340,500 grant and a $551,000 loan to upgrade its water distribution system by replacing 12 miles of water lines, and installing a new well and an automatic meter reading system. Garfield serves approximately 900 accounts in Caballo, Hatch, Arrey, Derry, Garfield and Salem. La Luz Mutual Domestic Water Consumers and Mutual Sewer Works Association will receive a $1,787,100 grant and a $414,000 loan to fund upgrades to their distribution system, including replacing aging water lines and building a new surface water treatment plant to treat additional runoff from La Luz Creek. The upgrades will help improve services for roughly 700 accounts and provide a reliable and safe water delivery system for the community at reasonable rates.
"All families in New Mexico deserve access to clean, reliable water and sanitary services, and this funding for Garfield and La Luz's water and wastewater infrastructure will help improve the health and safety of our border communities," Udall said. "Investments in small border communities help strengthen the economic well-being of the entire border region. I've worked in the Senate to make it easier for New Mexico's communities to apply for federal grants and loans, and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I'll continue to support investments that promote economic development in our smallest rural communities."
"This investment will improve Garfield and La Luz’s water and wastewater infrastructure in southern New Mexico," Heinrich said. "Access to clean drinking water and safe sewer systems are essential to public health and wellness and help boost economic development. These funds are also critical to sustaining New Mexico’s basic infrastructure."
Colonias are mostly unincorporated, low-income communities along New Mexico's southern border, and many of the communities lack adequate housing, drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. In the past seven years, USDA Rural Development has invested more than $1.5 billion in New Mexico