Udall, Heinrich, Torres Small Applaud Grants to Improve Water Access in Doña Ana County

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) applauded the combined $100,000 in Community Facilities Grants awarded to the Doña Ana Mutual Domestic Water Consumer Association by USDA-Rural Development to maintain reliable water service for over 2,000 New Mexicans living in rural areas of the county. 

The $100,000 in grant funding will help the Doña Ana water utility purchase vehicles to transport maintenance crews and equipment throughout the county in order to maintain reliable water service in rural communities.

“All New Mexicans should have access to safe and reliable water services,” said Udall, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “But water utilities serving rural populations often encounter larger obstacles to connecting communities to the water we all need—especially as the Southwest is living through a sustained drought. I will continue working in Washington to get necessary resources to all New Mexicans so we can sustainably manage our water resources for years to come.” 

“I am proud to support this funding to bring clean water supplies to thousands of New Mexicans living in rural parts of Dona Ana County,” said Heinrich. “No matter where you live, reliable access to clean water is absolutely essential. This is especially true as we confront mounting challenges stemming from prolonged droughts and climate change. I will keep doing everything I can to secure forward-looking infrastructure investments like this to help every New Mexico community thrive."

“Access to reliable, clean water is critical for families across New Mexico to remain healthy and hydrated, particularly during COVID-19. For many families, living off bottled water and regular water hauls are the only way they can routinely access this precious resource. I am pleased that funding for the Doña Ana Mutual Domestic Water Consumer Association will make clean drinking water access more reliable for over 2,000 people. I will continue to serve as champion for rural communities and fight for the resources they need to thrive,” said Torres Small.

Doña Ana Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association currently serves over 15,000 New Mexicans across a 125 square mile region in southern New Mexico.