Commissioners discuss letter to governor on Chupadero water system; $5 million Water Trust request and county takeover plan outlined

The Santa Fe County Board heard a staff-backed proposal and discussed a draft letter of commitment to the governor's office supporting county partnership and potential future takeover of the Chupadero Mutual Domestic Water System.

Commissioner Justin Green said the county and the mutual domestic water association have partnered for years on upgrades, including a well and a uranium removal system that helped lift strict usage limits for residents. He told the board the county found a potential grant/loan through the State of New Mexico Water Trust Board for $5,000,000 to rebuild infrastructure "to Santa Fe County standards" and enable eventual county ownership, subject to administrative conditions and completed upgrades.

Green described how, historically, Santa Fe County has performed capital projects for the mutual domestic system and that Public Works has completed work on the uranium removal system and new well. He said the major remaining items include rebuilding water lines and installing a new storage tank to meet county standards. County staff asked Brian Snyder, Public Works director, to join the discussion; staff stated they are implementing prior board direction but that the ultimate decision to accept and take over the system would be a separate board action after conditions are satisfied.

The board did not record a vote or approve the letter during the portions of the meeting captured in the transcript. Staff indicated they will continue to work on conditions, scopes of work and administrative items required before a potential takeover. No specific timeline for a final board decision was provided in the transcript.