Construction could begin later this summer on a long-awaited project that will see the building of a water line for the To’Hajiilee community, located some 30 miles to the west of Albuquerque. Officials with the community, which is a part of the Navajo Nation, have come to an agreement with several parties regarding an easement needed to build the project. As planned, the To’Hajiilee community wants to build a 7.3-mile transmission line that would provide clean water to its nearly 2,000 residents. Reports have indicated that five wells built to serve those residents have failed completely, while the final sixth well has been plagued by operational issues. Parties to the agreement include the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority as well as the company Western Albuquerque Land Holdings. The water transmission line will connect to a tank that is part of the ABCWUA system. Last month the ABCWUA approved just over $7.7 million in funding for the project from the New Mexico Finance Authority. Water challenges for the To’Hajiilee community have included a deteriorating pipe segment, with the ABCWUA repeatedly delivering water by tank to make up for the system shortfalls. Last year in a statement Jamie Henio, a Navajo Nation Council delegate representing the community said residents there “desperately need a long-term reliable water supply.” Short of the new pipeline, added Henio, the community’s “existing water wells will continue to fail after years of band-aid fixes.” It is thought that it will take anywhere from 12 to 18 months to complete the new pipeline project. By Garry Boulard
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