Jicarilla Apache Nation, New Mexico

WASHINGTON – The Department of the Interior announced today that the Bureau of Reclamation is awarding a construction contract of almost $62 million for part of the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project in New Mexico to increase the supply of clean drinking water to surrounding communities.

“This contract is a big step toward completing the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project, which is a top priority as it fits into the administration's commitment to improving infrastructure,” U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke said. “The project is critical to providing a much-needed, long-term, sustainable water supply for people on the Navajo and Jicarilla Apache reservations and the City of Gallup. It is also the cornerstone of our commitments under the Navajo Nation San Juan River Water Rights Settlement.”

The contract was awarded to Oscar Renda Contracting Inc. of Roanoke, Texas. It covers Block 9-11, an integral component of the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project. When completed, the entire project will consist of approximately 300 miles of pipeline, two water treatment plants, 19 pumping plants, and multiple water storage tanks.

Under the new contract, Reaches 9 through 11 of the San Juan Lateral portion of the project will include construction of approximately 28 miles of 48-inch and 42-inch diameter water transmission pipeline between the community of Naschitti, New Mexico to the Twin Lakes, New Mexico area. Work on this segment of the project is anticipated to begin in January 2018 with completion scheduled for March 2020.

Upon completion of the entire Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project in 2024, Block 9-11 will include turnouts to provide water to the communities of Naschitti, Buffalo Springs, Tohatchi, and Mexican Springs.

“This contract on a critical infrastructure project is the result of tremendous work by our Reclamation team and partners,” said Alan Mikkelsen, Reclamation’s Acting Commissioner. “The Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project will improve the safety and quality of life by providing an increased supply of clean drinking water to communities within the project area.”

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