Epcor completes airport water line expansion

EPCOR and the city of Clovis announced Thursday the completion of the approximately 3.8-mile-long water pipeline that now connects the Clovis Regional Airport to the water system serving the city.

According to a news release from EPCOR, the project broke ground in the summer of 2022 and is the latest partnership between the city and EPCOR.

The project solves the airport’s critical water shortage problem, which had previously relied on an isolated water system served by a single potable water well that was at risk of failure. The upgrade connects the airport and surrounding businesses to EPCOR’s existing water system.

“The City was instrumental in securing funding, and we look forward to working on other projects in the coming years to improve access to water in the region,” Daniel Bailet, Vice President and General Manager of EPCOR’s New Mexico operations.

The news release reports last year, the city was awarded a $2.14 million economic development grant to partially fund the project and pledged up to an additional $500,000 to help offset construction costs of the water main extension. The total cost of the completed project was $2.4 million. The state stipulated that the grant funds had to be used by November 2023. EPCOR completed the project nine months ahead of the deadline.

“The regional airport is an important economic driver for Clovis, making it easier and faster for visitors and businesses alike to travel to our city,” Clovis Mayor Mike Morris said. “We appreciate EPCOR’s partnership in ensuring a more reliable water supply.”

According to the airport’s latest master plan, Clovis Regional Airport has an annual economic output of approximately $16 million to the local economy. Last year, over 630 commercial flights flew into the airport, serving 24,781 customers.