Taos council approves design contract for temporary airport water system

The Taos Town Council on March 25 approved Task Order 1 under contract TT246227-2 with Daniel B. Stephens (DB Stevens) for professional design services to create a temporary water system at Taos Regional Airport, a staff presentation said. The design contract is for $94,762, exclusive of gross receipts tax.

Council members and staff said the work is needed because delays in the permanent water transmission line will require the airport to cap existing wells and rely on a temporary supply while construction continues. “We will need a temporary water supply to get them water because…that’s necessary for them to have,” a town staff member reported during the meeting.

Why it matters: airport operations including fixed-base operator (FBO) facilities and Medevac services rely on a reliable water source; capping the wells without an interim supply would leave the terminal and associated buildings without water. Officials said construction of a permanent on‑site utility remains the long‑term plan, funded in part by an Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant, but the temporary system must be designed and installed first so the terminal can remain open and compliant with health and safety requirements.

Details and council discussion: Town staff said DB Stevens will prepare design options; the firm’s design will consider portable tanks and hauled water as possible temporary sources. A staff member said the construction cost estimate was not included in the task order because multiple temporary scenarios are possible and will be developed in the design phase. Council members pressed staff about timing and construction responsibility; staff said DB Stevens understands the project’s urgency but a firm schedule was not provided at the meeting.

Council action: A motion to approve the task order was made and seconded; the clerk recorded affirmative votes from Council members Fambro, Oswald, Fernandez and Ortega, and the motion passed. Town staff said the EDA grant will cover the construction costs for the on‑site utilities when those are determined.

Background: Staff said the permanent transmission line project has experienced delays and the temporary system is intended to bridge that gap until the permanent line is completed. During the meeting staff indicated the airport ribbon cutting is still projected for the fall, with a 200‑day construction window once work starts.

Next steps: DB Stevens will produce design deliverables and cost scenarios for council and staff review; staff indicated they would press the firm for a timely turnaround given operational needs.