Council approves Navatas Global water permit amid questions about metering and reuse

Portales City Council approved an industrial/commercial water permit for Navatas Global on a 5–3 roll-call vote after hearing presentations on projected water use, permitting status, and water-reuse plans.

Mr. Mitten introduced the permit request and said it had the public works committee's recommendation to advance to council. Council was told Navatas' initial startup could require significantly higher water use for a short period — an "initial water draw estimate" that a presenter characterized as "plus or minus 3 million gallons a month" during startup — then a sustained average that staff estimated could fall toward 100,000 gallons per month pending operational adjustments.

A Navatas representative, identified in the hearing as Mr. Zman, said the company expects the high-usage period to last several months and described technical steps to reuse process water and return treated water to the city's system where feasible. "The ultimate goal is that we... probably return up to 20% of water," the representative said, adding the company aims to operate with minimal net draw after startup and to manage byproducts and filtration internally.

Council members pressed Navatas and staff on timing to reach lower sustained draws, whether state permits for wastewater and air quality were complete, and how odor and residuals would be handled. Navatas representatives said systems would be closed and that solids and byproducts would be processed and blended for animal feed or otherwise managed off-site.

The water-conservation report presented earlier in the meeting informed part of the discussion: Wilson & Company's analysis found a 2024 combined consumption for Portales and Roosevelt County of 735 million gallons while wellfield metered production totaled 723 million gallons, indicating possible metering error. The consultants recommended installing master/totalizing meters and improving reclaimed-water use to reduce stress on the Blackwater wellfield, whose water levels are declining.

Council held a roll-call vote after discussion. The vote passed 5–3. The minutes record No votes by Miss Cordova, Mr. Merrick and Mr. South; Yes votes by Mr. Davis, Mr. Lopez, Miss Parker, Mr. Rackler and Mr. Robinson. The motion to approve was moved by Mr. Robinson and seconded by Miss Parker.

Councilors and staff said they expect continued monitoring and potential conditions tied to reuse or reporting; Navatas' representatives were present to answer technical questions at the meeting.