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Committee backs measure to let water utilities seek Water Trust Board funds for real-time water-quality monitoring
Summary
The committee recommended due pass for House Bill 427, which adds monitoring/protection of water quality to Water Trust Board-eligible projects and establishes a $31.5 million cap for that category, with project or award caps of $500,000.
House Bill 427 (as amended) would allow municipalities, water authorities and other local water systems to seek Water Trust Board financial assistance for real-time water-quality monitoring projects. Sponsor Representative Cadena said the program aims to expand small systems' ability to detect contamination quickly and respond without waiting for infrequent regulatory sampling.
Testimony from utilities, regional groups and public-interest organizations supported the bill. Witnesses said advanced sensors and remote monitoring can provide 24/7 alerts for pathogens and chemical contaminants and help smaller systems that lack laboratory capacity. The bill—s amended language includes a total cap of $31.5 million for the category and a per-project maximum award of $500,000, figures sponsors said were based on municipal-league consultations about anticipated demand.
Committee members asked whether the equipment would monitor influent (source water) or effluent (treated wastewater). The sponsor said the statutory language is deliberately broad and intended to let local applicants propose systems tailored to their needs; the measure does not change NMED—s regulatory sampling responsibilities. Senators also requested reporting/oversight; amendments allow periodic reporting to legislative oversight committees and the Water Trust Board.
Outcome: The committee recorded a due-pass recommendation (vote recorded).
