GRANTS, N.M. – The City of Grants is moving forward with its water conservation initiative.
The goal is to develop a plan that provides a guide for the next ten years.
The Grants Water Conservation Plan committee, five city employees and two Smith Engineering Company staff, met for their third session on Nov. 6.
The group identified priorities, methods of implementation, costs, and staffing needs. Opportunities to reduce water loss were rated in five categories.
Detecting damages within the infrastructure that contribute to water loss was named as a main concern. The group estimated an annual expenditure of $80,000 and that cost includes subcontracting with a company that provides geo-imaging services for leak detection.
Balancing water delivery systems and scheduling irrigation services at each city park was rated as a top priority. All customer accounts are reviewed two times each month as part of the city billing process; continuing with this process was a ranked as a medium concern. Working with elected officials to ensure that the city council adopts a water conservation resolution within the next six months was listed as a “low” priority.
Replacing and improving the water infrastructure remained at the top of the list; members expressed interest in improving four of the five categories: completing the hydraulic model, evaluating hydrant logs, which are maintained by the fire department, updating the Asset Management Plan and utilizing the new data in addition to pursuing existing opportunities for grant funding. The committee did not rate hosting workshops for key city personnel and elected officials, which had been considered as a potential action during an earlier workshop session.
Code Red alerts, social media posts, and informational inserts in water bills were identified as the best methods for informing community members. (Property owners, including landlords of rental properties, receive billing statements.)
Additional suggestions included making use of electronic messaging boards on city buildings, educational activities for youth at annual events, and placing conser vation/drought awareness information on the city website. The group agreed that each of these could be accomplished within the next four-five months at minimal cost.
More consistent monitoring of work orders was a primary concern identified as part of operational security.
Maintaining ongoing communications with neighboring entities on water rights’ issues was highlighted as a priority for water source security measures. Collecting and reviewing drawdown records for city wells plus updating the 40-year water plan were not considered as critical to the security plan.
Other items of lesser interest included expanding the number of contract employees, departmental staff training, reviewing departmental salary schedules, and the potential for transitioning to city employees instead of relying on contract services for operational duties.
Next meeting
9 a.m., Friday, Dec. 18, city council chambers, 600 W. Santa Fe Ave., Grants. Visit cityofgrants.net or call 505-287-7927 for more information.