4-22-2023 3:11am

Otero County Commission Approves Chaparral NM Waste Treatment Solutions EPA Pilot

Chris Edwards Editor

Otero County Commission Approved the Chaparral Waste Treatment Solutions EPA Pilot. A request to authorize formal participation by Otero County in discussions of wastewater management conditions, needs, and possible options in the unincorporated area of Chaparral New Mexico was a major agenda item for the Otero County Commission meeting last week. They deferred the approval yet met in special session yesterday and approved.

State Representative Willie Madrid along with representatives of the EPA spent 2 hours in a detailed presentation to discuss using a portion of the Trillion dollar federal infrastructure improvement moneys to invest in a Pilot project for sewage treatment and water quality improvements for Chaparral New Mexico in the prior meeting.

This community is the fastest growing area of Otero County and is without adequate infrastructure. The county commissioners in special session, voted to approve, a proposal by the EPA and the US Department of Agriculture would create a first of its kind in New Mexico pilot program to invest and assist with the sewage treatment issues for Chaparral.

State Representative Willie Madrid championed a solution for the Otero County and Dona Ana Counties to collaborate with the EPA funded pilot program.

Hear a prior interview with Representative Willie Madrid and his concerns to solve the waste water issues in an interview with Alamogordo Town News hosted by Anthony Lucero on Krazy KALHRadio.org 95.1 FM by following this podcast link…

https://spotify.link/khjWkdgoZyb

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Agriculture, Rural Development (USDA) have grant and loan programs to help pay for wastewater infrastructure. Recent increases in federal funding presents an important opportunity for communities to invest in septic upgrades, nearby community systems, or sewer connections. A team of EPA, USDA, and technical assistance providers are working with 11 communities in 7 southern and southwestern states to help find affordable solutions to areas where there are failing systems. Through providing technical assistance, the goal of this initiative is to help position the communities to find affordable solutions for their residents and to create a roadmap for other communities in the future. Dona Ana County is on board but for program success Otero County Commissioners also have now approved participation for the Otero County side of Chaparral which crosses into the two counties due to growth.

Chaparral has been identified as an impoverished community and one that is included in the staggering fact that 2.2 million people in the U.S. lack either running water or indoor plumbing, or both with many homes in Chaparral falling into that category.

Approximately 20 percent of U.S. residents depend on septic systems for wastewater treatment. While septic systems can be effective when properly designed and maintained, many of those systems may be failing, leading to environmental and public health concerns which is the case in Chaparral as one of the causes contributing to unsafe public drinking water in this fast growing community.

Households generate sewage, or wastewater, through toilet flushing, dishwashing, bathing, and other daily activities, and that wastewater needs to be treated. Untreated wastewater presents a health risk to families, affects water resources, and slows economic growth in a community that is growing with people but not jobs due to sanitation and water concerns.

Commissioner Amy Barela texted a statement to AlamogordoTownNews.com’s Radio Newscaster from Krazy KALHRadio.org’s 95.1 FM’s Anthony Lucero which read, “it is exciting that that part of Otero was chosen for this pilot program and I hope that once the citizens agree and understand what this program consists of
the program will be a success so we may develop other areas in need as well.”

The quote from Commissioner Barela and to hear the vote from the special session turn into to Krazy KALHRadio.org 95.1 FM’s live streaming broadcast Saturday
https://station.voscast.com/5b01bba90dce3

or hear the news archived podcast hosted by Anthony Lucero at

https://spotify.link/rAeVXjcyczb

Congratulations to the citizens of Chaparral as an initiative moves forward to improve the quality of life in that fast growing community within Otero County, New Mexico.