New Mexico Water Service expands capacity of Rio Del Oro Water Reclamation Facility

RIO COMMUNITIES — New Mexico Water Service has completed the first of a two-phase upgrade of its Rio Del Oro water reclamation facility to better support growth and increase the use of non-potable water in Rio Communities.

The upgrade, completed last month, expanded the capacity of the company’s Rio Del Oro wastewater treatment plant from 200,000 gallons a day to 320,000 gallons a day.

The additional capacity will help accommodate new service connections resulting from planned residential development in the area, as well as provide a drought-resistant supply of irrigation water.

As early as this summer, the plant’s treated wastewater will be used to irrigate Valencia County’s newly-renovated Las Maravillas Park in Rio Del Oro.

“This improvement will help us provide safe, reliable utility services to existing and future customers and enhance the quality of their lives,” said Chad Meadors, interim general manager of New Mexico Water Service, following the retirement of former general manager Cynthia Apodaca.

“We’re proud of the difference we’ve made here and our commitment to complete this project responsibly and efficiently to keep costs down.”

Located in the Rio Del Oro area, between Belen and Las Lunas, New Mexico Water Service’s wastewater treatment plant uses Membrane Bioreactor microfiltration technology.

It cleans sewage and water into a form of liquid waste that can be discharged into the environment or recycled for irrigation, freeing up potable water supplies in communities where significant drought challenges are present.

This summer, the company expects to begin the second phase of upgrading its Rio Del Oro wastewater treatment plant, Meadors said.

In September, New Mexico Water will install a new effluent station, along with new blowers and diffusers, which will allow the plant to expand capacity by up to 40,000 gallons a day.