Rapid Assessment ProcessProject Strategic Plan

Village of ColumbusWater Supply and System Improvements

Luna County, New Mexico

Presented to: Stakeholders and Project Sponsor

Santa Fe, NM

February 4, 2003

General Aspects Environmental and Human Health Indicators Technical Approach, Objectives and Funding Plan Public Participation Sustainable Development Project Development Schedule Stakeholder Comments/Discussion

Agenda

General Aspects

Project LocationThe Village of Columbus

is located in Luna County,

New Mexico approximately

92 miles from the City of

Las Cruces. The community

is 3 miles from the

U.S./Mexican Border.

State of Existing Water Supply and Distribution System

Water is supplied from one well. The “Southeast Well” or “New Well” was installed in 1996. The water treatment system includes an automatic chlorine valve that feeds the system directly as water is pumped from the “Southeast Well”.

A reverse osmosis (RO) water treatment system installed in 1973-1974 is capable of producing approximately 400 gallons per day. The system treats for fluoride in pumped water and it provides drinking water only at the location of the RO treatment system with a maximum allocation of 5 gallons per day per person. The water distribution system supplies pumped water, but not treated for fluoride.

General Aspects

State of Existing Water Supply and Distribution System

Concerns: Compliance with EPA Regulatory requirements in regards to fluoride, sodium and arsenic for drinking water quality standards.

General Aspects

State of Existing Water Storage and Distribution System

A 100,000-gallon reservoir, measuring 24-feet in height and 27-feet inside diameter.

An additional water storage reservoir has also 100,000-gallons located within the Industrial Park. It measures 87-feet in height and has a 14-feet inside diameter.

In 1994, another water reservoir with a capacity of 243,500-gallons was constructed.

The water distribution system transports pumped water through approximately 24,450 linear feet of cast iron pipes, 54,770 linear feet of PVC pipes and 33,350 linear feet of transite pipes. The system has approximately 63 shutoff valves and 33 fire hydrants.

General Aspects

State of Existing Water Storage and Distribution System

Concerns: Additional water storage capacity to help address concern over water shortages during drought conditions. The community needs to replace undersized cast iron pipelines (5,000 to 6,000 linear feet) throughout the Village downtown area and replacement of inoperable fire hydrants in the system.

General Aspects

Proposed Water Supply and System Improvements

Water supply improvements to meet EPA regulatory requirements in regards to fluoride, sodium and arsenic for drinking water quality standards.

Improvements to the water distribution system, additional water storage capacity and the development of a 40-year water supply plan.

General Aspects

Total Estimated Cost: $2 Million(Based on Village of Columbus estimate)

Final Design Development: $255,600 Construction of Facilities: $1,744,400

Note: Further definition of the needs through alternatives analysis and feasibility studies are needed to determine budget for design and construction. Therefore, the applicant’s proposed budget should be considered as a tentative.

General Aspects

General Aspects

Population: 1,765 Annual growth rate: TBD MHI*: $13,773.00 Unemployment rate: 14.2% Legal utility provider 577 water accounts 459 sewer accounts 3 employees Billing efficiency: TBD

Project Sponsor Profile:

General Aspects

USDA-RUS: Funds in the amount of $475,000 for installation of a new groundwater well (South East Well) and improvements within colonias in 1994.

USDA-RUA: Funds received in 1994-1995 in the amount of $75,000 for the purchase of additional water rights and installation of new groundwater well.

CDBG: Funds in the total amount of $300,000. Request for financial assistance from the NADB for

the completion of the wastewater system. No prior BECC assistance.

Prior Agency Support:

General Aspects

In 1993 the Village completed a Infrastructure Master Plan.

A Comprehensive Plan was completed in 1996.

Prior Studies:

Human Health Indicators

Improvements to the water system are necessary to meet fire protection demand, which poses a direct threat to the health and safety of the Village of Columbus residents.

The improvements to the water supply and related systems will address human health and environmental issues for the residents in the Village.

Specifically, improvements to the water supply quality will address concentration of fluoride, sodium and arsenic in pumped water.

Environmental and Human Health Indicators

Environmental Indicators

Problems with EPA regulatory requirements for drinking water are directly related to compliance with naturally occurrence of fluoride concentration in pumped water.

Additionally, high concentrations of sodium and arsenic have also been found in the pumped water. posed wastewater accumulated at the cesspools areas and deficient septic tank systems may be potential contamination sources.

Environmental and Human Health Indicators

Compliance with Environmental Norms & Regulations Including Violations

The Village of Columbus drinking water supply has let to an Administrative Order from the EPA since 1992, directly related to high concentrations of fluoride above the acceptable limits in drinking water.

Recent laboratory results received by the New Mexico Environment Department indicated concentration levels of fluoride at the Southeast Well of 7.94 ppm.

As per the New Mexico Drinking Water Regulations 20 NMAC 7.1, Section 202.A(9), the specific Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for fluoride is 4 ppm.

Environmental and Human Health Indicators

Technical Approach Technical Assistance needed to develop documents

which may include: Facility Plan & Environmental Information

Document Engineering Design Financial Analysis Public Participation Program Rate Study

Technical Approach,Objectives and Funding Plan

Technical Assistance Tasks

Task Source PER and EID BECC

Water Conservation Plan/40-Year Water Plan BECC/OtherFinancial Analysis BECCPublic Participation Program BECCProject Certification Document BECCFinal Design BECC/Other

Technical Approach,Objectives and Funding Plan

Identified Potential Funding Sources USDA/Rural Utility Services (RUS)

Funds tailored for incorporated rural areas with populations of less than 10,000

New Mexico Legislative Appropriations Multiple use – dependent on language presented in bill.

New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Rural Infrastructure Program loans, typically administer NM SAP

New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) Water and WW Grants Program, DWSRF, Project and Equipment

loans

Technical Approach,Objectives and Funding Plan

Identified Potential Funding Sources

NM Water Trust Board Annual authorized funding to address critical water

projects North American Development Bank (NADB)

BEIF and IDP Border Environment Cooperation Commission

(BECC) PDAP program

Technical Approach,Objectives and Funding Plan

Project Sponsor Financial Potential Revenues and Expenditures Summary (thousands)

2000 Revenues $183 Expenses $162 Net Available

from Operations $21.5

Existing Debt: None Annual Debt Service: $2.8**Only for current outstanding sewer debt

WaterAvg. Monthly Residential Bill: $10.50

Technical Approach,Objectives and Funding Plan

Agency Perspectives - NADB

An initial analysis of the proposed project in regards to BEIF eligibility criteria provides a sense that the project will be eligible for this program.

An affordability analysis will be completed to determine any participation with BEIF grants including construction, hook-up and transition support.

Loan assistance can be available for construction and potential support may be provided by the IDP for completion of a rate study and other institutional capacity building needs.

Technical Approach,Objectives and Funding Plan

Institutional Capacity Building

The project sponsor identified such needs as a capital improvement plan, rate study and the development of public participation programs as institutional needs.

Additional needs may include assistance in both the institutional and human capacity to administer the project.

Following the proposed 40-Year Water Supply Plan completion, basic training to the Village staff in understanding and maintaining the Plan may also be necessary.

The Frank M. Tejeda Center has conducted an Institutional Capacity Needs Assessment with the Village of Columbus.

Technical Approach,Objectives and Funding Plan

Potential Obstacles

The project sponsor and the BECC are not aware of any legal issues that may jeopardize the proposed project, or any litigation problems with the current local government.

The Village has ample water rights. A notable potential obstacle is the high cost of providing

water treatment to address the quality issues present in the water basin near the Village.

Rate modifications may also provide a potential obstacle for receiving community support.

Technical Approach,Objectives and Funding Plan

Identification of Main Stakeholders Village of Columbus The State of New Mexico Environment Department New Mexico Finance Authority North American Development Bank Frank M. Tejeda Center Border Environment Cooperation Commission United States Department of Agriculture Environmental Protection Agency

Public Participation

Local Politics

The Village of Columbus local government is comprised of a Mayor, four councilors and a clerk/treasurer. The Village Commission has passed a resolution on March 13, 2002 authorizing the Mayor to seek Technical Assistance from BECC, and authorizing her staff to seek funding from the State of New Mexico and the North American Development Bank.

Public Participation

Minimum Criteria Requirements

The Village of Columbus made a commitment to comply to all applicable minimum requirements for the project in compliance with the BECC’s sustainable development criteria. Based on the status of existing planning and capacity assessment conducted by the Tejeda Center, a strategy to meet the applicable requirements has been included in Attachment H of the Strategic Plan.

11 of 14 minimum requirements will apply to the project of which the Village currently complies with 2. The remaining 9 minimums will be addressed as part of the project development.

Sustainable Development

Project Development Schedule

Task Name Duration Start Finish

Application Process 6 days 06/14/02 06/21/02

Rapid Assessment Process 123 days 08/30/02 02/18/03

Technical Assistance Process 64 days 02/05/03 05/05/03

Project Development Process(TA, Public Participation, NEPA)

556 days 02/19/03 04/06/05

Final Design Process* 298 days 12/16/04 04/06/05

BECC Certification Process 39 days 02/28/05 06/05

*Task duration is included in Project Development Process duration.

Stakeholder Comments/Discussion

Thank you for your participation and valuable input.