Background

Salem and Ogaz receive potable water from the Garfield Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association located in the community of Garfield, approximately five miles to the north. However, there is currently no form of wastewater collection or treatment system other than on-site disposal systems. The on-site disposal systems include individual septic tanks with leach fields or cesspools. This lack of infrastructure poses health risks to both the residents and the surrounding environment.

Description

The purpose of this project is to build the necessary infrastructure, thereby allowing Salem and Ogaz residents to receive wastewater collection and treatment services. The wastewater collection system will include one pump station and about 21,000 feet of 8-inch diameter gravity sewer collection lines buried under the public right-of-way. Service will be
provided to the residents through 4-inch diameter sewer lines connected directly to each customer’s plumbing system.

Wastewater will be treated using a sequencing batch reactor. The treated effluent from the wastewater treatment facility will be discharged into the Rio Grande and wastewater sludge will be transported to the solid waste landfill located west of Las Cruces after proper treatment.

Benefits

This project will reduce the likelihood of disease transmission through contact of raw wastewater by constructing the necessary infrastructure to provide first-time wastewater collection and treatment services to Salem and Ogaz residents.