Portales votes to stay with Ute water project

PORTALES — Portales City Council on Sept. 10 voted unanimously to stay with the Ute Water Pipeline Project despite an attempt by Logan attorney Warren Frost to dissuade City Council members from doing so.

Frost was given 10 minutes to give a presentation to the council on why the pipeline project should be immediately halted.

“All planning was based on Ute lake water could use conventional processing. It was discovered water quality has deteriorated,” Frost said.

Frost alleged in his presentation the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority doesn’t have the funding for additional processing costs.

Frost went on to allege higher costs for water for Portales and Clovis with the pipeline.

“Portales water will go up 80%. Clovis will go up 400%. Clovis water is now $1.17 per 1,000 gallons. Pipeline water will cost $4.78 per 1,000 gallons,” Frost said.

Quay officials allege the Ute Pipeline would need a water treatment plant that would cost between $400 million and $600 million — money the authority doesn’t have.

The Ute Pipeline project is being funded by federal, state and local entities and most of that $1 billion has already been secured, with the exception of funds needed for the treatment plant. Morris and other representatives of member entities have said they’re confident all of the funds needed will be in place before the pipeline is complete about 2031.