The Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority (ENMWUA) has received a $77 million federal appropriation from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to continue construction of the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System (ENMRWS). The project is intended to provide a long-term water supply to the communities of Clovis, Cannon Air Force Base, Portales, Texico, and Elida.
Mike Morris, Chair of the ENMWUA Board of Directors, noted that the system has been under construction for eight years and is expected to begin delivering renewable surface water within the next five years.
Combined with recent state funding, ENMWUA has secured roughly $95.7 million for the completion of 16.3 miles of the Raw Water 1B and Raw Water 2 pipelines. These are the final large-diameter pipeline segments needed to transport water from Ute Reservoir to ENMWUA’s member communities.
ENMWUA Vice Chair Jim Lucero said the funding represents a milestone for the project and is important for the water supply of about 73,000 residents.
The authority plans to bid the final large-diameter pipeline segment in fall 2026 and expects construction to begin in early to mid-2027.
