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Water systems regionalize and improve the Colonias’ economic structure
Comprehensive Community Development Highlight
WHERE: New Mexico, Five Colonias
PROBLEM: Inadequate infrastructure and few resources
SOLUTION: Regionalization
Small rural water systems often struggle to meet safe drinking water standards. They frequently are beset with equipment failures and water outages. One solution is regionalization. RCAC assisted five New Mexico Colonias to create a single regional water district, the Lower Rio Grande Mutual Domestic Water Association (LRG). The merger makes it possible for the five communities to share resources, including water resources, equipment, staff, office space and purchasing.
Vado Mutual Domestic Water Company, one of five water systems that merged to create the LRG.
RCAC drafted House Bill 185 and worked with legislators to get it passed in 2009, testifying as an expert witness before several legislative committees. The new law gave LRG authority to create a structure to share water rights, declare a service area and float revenue bonds while retaining its community autonomy. The law will now serve as a template for other small water systems across the state to merge and share resources. RCAC also is assisting the regional entity to implement an effective regional financial and managerial structure.
The LRG Colonias also have substandard housing, unpaved roads and inadequate infrastructure.
In 2011, RCAC will provide leadership development training and conduct a housing needs assessment with the group. In addition, RCAC will evaluate potential micro-enterprise and sustainable development for the Colonias, including renewable energy systems, such as a wind farm or a regional bio-degeneration solid waste disposal system.
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