The city of Rio Rancho is currently constructing phase two of a reuse waterline beginning at the intersection of Southern Boulevard and Nicklaus Drive. The project also includes installation of a pipeline underneath High Resort Boulevard. 

View map (PDF).

Construction work will be completed in June 2012 on this project. The contractor for the project is RMCI, and construction costs are is $1,541,617.89. The project is funded by a loan through the New Mexico Finance Authority.

Background
Over the years, the city has seen continual growth in development and population. This increase has led to the expansion of both water and wastewater usage. With the increase in population, there has been a decrease in the aquifer. The city depends on the aquifer for all water used.

Direction was given by the Rio Rancho Governing Body in 2001 to work towards reusing wastewater.

In 2005, a new type of wastewater treatment plant was built near the Cabezon subdivision. The facility uses membranes to filter the wastewater. Once the water is filtered through the membranes, the quality is high enough to use for irrigation and to discharge into the river.

Once other necessary infrastructure is completed, reuse water from the Cabezon plant can be pumped and used to supply water to areas such as the local golf course, the Rio Rancho Sports Complex, and for reinjection into the aquifer after testing/permitting/facility construction.

Learn more about the city’s direct injection aquifer recharge demonstration project.



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