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Commission funds $200,000 pilot for filtered outdoor water and bottle-filling stations in Santa Teresa and Radium Springs
Summary
Doña Ana County approved authorization of $200,000 to pilot reverse-osmosis filter stations and bottle-filling fountains in Santa Teresa and Radium Springs after staff and commissioners discussed recurring reports of discolored water in both communities.
Doña Ana County commissioners approved funding as part of the consent agenda on June 24 to set aside $200,000 for a pilot program to install filtered outdoor water fountains and bottle-filling stations in Santa Teresa and Radium Springs.
Assistant County Manager Stephen Lopez told the commission the two locations were selected because residents in both communities have reported discolored water. "That is correct, vice chair. That is why these locations were chosen for the pilot," Lopez said, noting the county selected reverse-osmosis systems for the pilot and that the bottle-filling stations will include additional filters to address concerns such as microplastics.
Lopez said the pilot stations would serve two purposes: provide drinking water when local distribution systems experience discoloration (for example after fire-hydrant replacements or tank maintenance) and provide refill stations for residents using trails and outdoor recreation areas.
Commissioners asked staff to make the system specifications public so constituents would understand the technology being installed; Lopez responded that the county is planning reverse osmosis systems for the pilot and that the fountains include separate filters for microplastics and other contaminants.
The consent agenda motion approving items 1'14, which included authorization of funding for the pilot, passed unanimously.
