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The Estancia Basin Resource Association wants to make sure the Estancia Valley's water stays in the valley, and drilled the leaders of two new water co-ops who are planning a system to provide water service to the N.M. 337 and N.M. 217 areas.
At EBRA's meeting last Wednesday, project leaders Rob Morper and Gerald Ohlsen presented their plans for a 41-mile water distribution line. After a PowerPoint presentation, EBRA members quickly started firing questions about where the water is coming from and where it will go. Morper said the water will be pumped from well fields south of Moriarty, and expects 6,800 gallons to be pumped per month per residence serving domestic water to 9,800 connections. They assured the association that Estancia Valley water will stay within the basin. The pipeline is expected to cost more than $10 million, according to the presentation, and completion is expected to take a year. EBRA board member and Estancia Mayor Ted Barela asked how many members it would take to fund the project. Ohlsen said about 1,500 members, paying a $10,000 membership fee, would fully fund the project. The co-ops have contacted about 800 people, Ohlsen said, and about half of that have expressed interest in a financing plan proposed by the planners. Torrance County resident Peggy Schwebach wanted to know more about engineering studies. Miller Engineering Consultants Inc. has been hired for the engineering services for the plan, Morper said. The planners will be meeting soon with the engineers to decide on the final route of the water line, and expect more terrain findings as engineering studies continue. The planners are also now looking at easement availability. Water board members also wanted to know that if final costs of the projects go up, could the membership fees go up as well. Ohlsen assured EBRA members that the cost in the contract is fixed. "The cost will be fixed regardless of what happens," he said. The $10,000 membership fee makes customers entitled to one hookup. A $200 deposit is required to reserve a hookup, and the co-ops are currently accepting them with the water service contract, available at www.manzanofoothillswater.com. The balance of the membership fee will be due when the project breaks ground, according to the presentation. "All member funds will be held in an escrow account, ensuring that your money will be fully protected at all times and fully refundable up to the date of project construction," the presentation states. As for the monthly bill, water charges are expected to be $6 per 1,000 gallons, along with a monthly meter fee of $20. |
