Committee approves conservation billboard

CLOVIS — The Water Policy Advisory Committee approved a 40-foot billboard promoting water conservation in Clovis at their regular meeting Tuesday morning.

The new signage is part of the committee's continued effort to urge water economy at the household level while considering how to best manage the resource area-wide.

The committee detailed their efforts to broadcast water conservation messages in area schools, restaurants, community events, and media outlets as part of a summer-wide campaign initiated during April, dubbed “Water Conservation Month” by city officials.

Residents dining out may be familiar with signs on the tables at a couple dozen restaurants in town, encouraging patrons to think twice before ordering a glass of water they might not end up drinking.

“Every Drop Counts,” reads a publicity graphic. “Reduce Your Use.”

Organizers hope to establish the billboard at Eighth and Main streets for a one-time cost of $950, not including the electricity bill if the sign gets lit up at night.

In an EPCOR update from its district manager, Mark Huerta advised the committee of its work installing meters for the PetSmart in progress on North Prince Street, as well as the Fifth Street water line replacement project. The latter will consist of replacing mains between Axtell and Wallace streets on Fifth Street, as well as installing four new hydrants during the summer months.

Huerta reminded the committee that any residents interested in a free water conservation kit, including water-efficient showerheads and hose nozzles, can contact EPCOR. The company does not provide free home visits to correct leaks, but they will alert account holders if their monthly water usage becomes unusually high.

For example, a leak of a single water drip per second can consume 15 gallons per day, which becomes vast when amplified for a even a month across many residences.

By comparison, SouthWest Cheese is forecasted to generate close to 2 million gallons per day after its expansion, said City Manager Larry Fry.

Committee officials weighed the pros and cons of different water management techniques. Above-ground water storage is offset by evaporation, but injecting water back into the Ogallala Aquifer can be a more complicated process — and damaging if done wrong.

Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority Executive Director Justin Howalt said that water reuse has long existed in the region, but indirectly. Water displaced from Albuquerque makes it way to the Rio Grande River, where it is recirculated into the supply at Las Cruces, which makes its way back again into El Paso via the same river.

In his update on the Rural Water System pipeline project, Howalt suggested exploring private partnerships to identify new efficiencies to drive down the costs of the project.

The ENMWUA currently has about $10 million of an estimated $25 million necessary to connect Clovis, Cannon AFB, and the area with the Ute Reservoir water source. Being the youngest of six projects authorized in the Rural Water Fund, it still receives the least grant funding from state sources (less than $1.5 million average the past two years).

Recently, the Bureau of Reclamation authorized the project as one of five to receive a Request For Information exploring the possibility of private industry feedback to weigh in on development.