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Deming council approves application for up to $4.5 million brackish water feasibility study
Summary
The City of Deming unanimously voted to authorize a New Mexico Environment Department grant application of up to $4.5 million to fund a feasibility study into brackish groundwater as a potential water supply, including aerial surveying to locate potential sources.
The City of Deming City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Oct. 21 authorizing Public Works Director David McSherry to apply to the New Mexico Environment Department for up to $4,500,000 to perform a Deming Brackish Water Supply Feasibility Study.
Councilor Joe "Butter" Milo moved to approve the application, Councilor Julian Monjaras seconded, and the motion carried on a roll call vote with Councilors Monjaras, Rodriguez and Milo voting Aye. City Manager Aaron Sera presented the item for consideration.
Why it matters: the study could identify a new municipal source of groundwater that contains elevated mineral content (brackish water), which would require treatment or blending before distribution. McSherry said the work would include geophysical surveys; when Councilor Milo asked what “brackish water” means, McSherry replied that it is "water from deep underground with minerals in it" and added that an aerial survey using a magnet-equipped helicopter would help locate potential source locations and estimate depth.
The council did not set a project schedule or state-specific matching requirements in the meeting; staff said the resolution authorizes the application only. If selected for funding, staff will return with project scope, timeline and any budget or rate implications for council approval.
The resolution was recorded as a formal action in the meeting minutes and will be submitted to the Environment Department as described by staff.
