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| Money for Sewers Nearing Approval |
January 16, 2004 |
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The Albuquerque Journal
By Carolyn Carlson
A $2.6 million chunk of federal money is one step closer to funding Bernalillo County sewers.
Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., announced Thursday the federal government`s 2004 contribution for the Valley Utilities Project has been approved by the House and is on its way to the Senate for approval.
"Congresswoman Wilson said she believes it will be approved by the Senate," county spokeswoman Liz Hamm said Thursday.
The Valley Utilities Project is expected to cost about $111 million. It will extend municipal utilities to developed areas in the North and South valleys. The money is coming from a combination of federal, state, county and local sources.
The 10-year Valley Utilities Project was launched in 1999 when Bernalillo County started to eliminate all septic tanks in the county after a report determined the septic systems could be an environmental hazard.
The goal is to provide sewer service to some 4,000 houses and water service to about 3,000.
According to Tim West, the county`s director of public works, the federal government is expected to contribute $40 million to $50 million to the overall project. About $15.3 million in federal funds has been received or appropriated for the project so far. The $2.6 million is part of the federal government`s commitment to the project.
Bernalillo County sold $30 million in revenue bonds in 1999. The city is expected to contribute $21 million. Revenue generated by new utility accounts is expected to cover the city`s contribution. And the Legislature has authorized $20 million for the project over 10 years.
West said the $2.6 million will fund three pieces of the overall project.
He said a portion will pay for designing a segment in the South Valley. West said this phase includes the area south of Gun Club and west of Coors. Completing that segment is expected to cost $43 million and will take about a year and a half to complete once it gets started. West said that phase will affect about 3,200 properties. He said the county is waiting for the state Environment Department to approve the environmental assessment on this phase.
"We expect to be informed sometime in May regarding the approval," West said.
The second area is completing service near Second and Rio Bravo, where 193 homes are eligible for water and sewer service. He said some of these homes already have water service. Another 79 lots that have sewer hookups will get water service.
The third area is southwest of the Isleta and Rio Bravo intersection.
"This area is south of Rio Bravo going west towards the west frontage of Adobe Acres," West said. "It will extend sewer to 72 homes and water to 68 homes." |
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