Council introduces backflow, wastewater grant and Canyon Road treatment-plant loan/grant ordinances

At the meeting the governing body introduced three separate water-related legislative items for future consideration.

Councilors Amanda Chavez and Alma Castro sponsored a bill to adopt new definitions and require backflow prevention and control for certain customers, including associated fees and fines; the measure was presented in introduction form and councilors briefly described the public-health purpose of preventing potable-water contamination.

Councilor Amanda Travis sponsored a resolution authorizing city representatives to sign agreement documents and requests for payment related to a New Mexico Environment Department grant (SAP25-J2459-GF) to plan, design and construct a wastewater treatment facility.

Finally, the council introduced an ordinance authorizing the execution and delivery of a loan/grant agreement with the New Mexico Finance Authority in the total amount of $7,750,000—consisting of a $3,100,000 loan and grant funds—to finance flocculation and sedimentation improvements at the Canyon Road Water Treatment Plant, including demolition, new equipment, structural work, power controls, and associated design and construction tasks. The ordinance description states loan repayment and administrative fees would be paid from net water-utility revenues and that the loan/grant would be used solely for the described project.

All three items were introduced for future consideration; no final votes or appropriations were taken at this meeting.