Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority - Carnuel Water and Wastewater System Improvements Project

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Carnuel Water and Wastewater System

Carnuel Water and Wastewater System Improvements Project

Background

Carnuel The community of Carnuel currently obtains their water from private wells and disposes its sewage through on-site septic systems. Carnuel is in urgent need of central public water and wastewater systems. Carnuel community’s private wells are shallow and often co-exist in the same areas with poorly functioning, aging septic systems which have led to nitrate contamination in many of the wells. Moreover, the Carnuel community has seen a serious decline in the quality of water coming from private wells. In some areas it does not meet the federal and state drinking water standards.

This project consists of extending and constructing water and wastewater infrastructure from existing facilities owned and operated by the Water Authority to the Carnuel community. The extension of the water system to Carnuel will address water quality and fire protection issues by providing a reliable public water system to serve existing developed properties. The Water Authority is proposing the construction of a comprehensive sewer collection system in Carnuel to improve the health and safety of residents, thereby, remediating the Tijeras Canyon watershed.

In October 2008, the Water Authority and the Carnuel Mutual Domestic Water and Waste Water Consumer Association (Carnuel MDW&WWCA) entered into an agreement to extend water and wastewater infrastructure improvements and provide water service to the Carnuel community. This agreement also identified that the Water Authority would serve as the fiscal agent for the Carnuel MDW&WWCA on all state and federal grant and/or loan agreements. In addition, the Water Authority will plan, design, and construct all water and wastewater system improvements. The Water Authority will own, operate and maintain the water and wastewater system. Carnuel residents and business will become customers of the Water Authority.

Water Project Phasing

The project phasing was established to provide service to the areas identified as Priority Areas 1 and 2 in the Tijeras Canyon/ Carnuel Plan. The Priority Area 1 consists primarily of Carnuel where a concern with ground water quality from the individual water supply wells is the greatest. There are eight phases in order to extend water to Priority Areas 1 and 2.

Phase 1 connects Carnuel to the existing ABCWUA system and will provide distribution to customers within Zone 8E of Carnuel along NM 333. The phase includes the following items: (1) Connection to existing 14-inch Zone 8E piping in Camino La Sierra, north of I-40; (2) Jack and bore across I-40 to south side of I-40 frontage road; and (3) 12-inch piping along I-40 frontage road and NM 333 to about Riddle Road

Phase 1 General Map

Phase 1 Properties Served

Status: Complete, Service Available

Phase 2 continues to complete the water system infrastructure improvements for Zone 8E and provides redundancy in the system with the construction of a Zone 8E tank. This phase also provides service to Zone 8E residences within Echo Canyon and increases fire protection capabilities. This phase includes the following: (1) Construct Zone 8E Tank; and (2) Construct 12-inch piping to fill tank.

Site Development Plan for Reservoir

Conceptual Reservoir Site Rendering

Status: In Design

Phase 3 continues to extend the Zone 8E system to the remainder of Carnuel (South of Highway 333 and Interstate 40 – Coyote Springs Road Area).

Phase 3 Map

Status: Design Complete, Construction Funding Pending

New Customer Information (Water Only

Below is information for new water customers including how to connect to the water system, paying bills, water rates, conservation, and low-income assistance for connection expenses (PIPE Program). In addition to the PIPE Program, the Water Authority and Bernalillo County have created the CONNECT Water Loan Program to assist county residents with financing the cost of connecting their homes to the water system.

Connecting to the Water System Information Sheet (English Version)

Connecting to the Water System Information Sheet (Spanish Version)

New Customer Handout

PIPE Program (English Version)

PIPE Program (Spanish Version)

CONNECT Program

Funding

The Carnuel MDW&WWCA has secured a combination of grant and loan funding for the planning, design, and construction of water system facilities. Funding sources include grant funding from state appropriations ($325,000) and the Environmental Protection Agency ($97,000). The Water Authority and the Carnuel MDW&WWCA secured $2 million in American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant/loan funding, and $5.86 million in Water Trust Board grant/loan funding. To date, about $4.42 has been expended on water infrastructure improvements.

Environmental Reports

Carnuel Church Two Environmental Information Documents have been completed for the water and wastewater systems which evaluate potential impacts associated with the projects. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), project planning includes the preparation of an environmental report. Important components of the NEPA process include the analysis of potential environmental impacts, the development and consideration of alternatives, and the solicitation of public involvement.