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Southside Water Reclamation Plant Outfall Project
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The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (Water Authority) is currently in the design and permitting phase of a project located at the outfall for the Southside Water Reclamation Plant (SWRP). This project is being designed to improve water quality in the Rio Grande at the SWRP outfall as well as to restore and create floodplain habitat that will benefit the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow and the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse. The project will connect existing restoration areas to the north and south of the outfall area, creating a continuous restored habitat for endangered species in the Middle Rio Grande. Additionally, this project will connect existing trails, expanding community access to the Bosque surrounding the SWRP outfall. Construction will include building new habitat through the removal of invasive species and the establishment of native riparian plants. Additionally, rootwad revetments will be constructed and are a restoration approach that creates fish habitat in the water and when combined with the floodplain habitat.
The Water currently has funding from the Office of the Natural Resources Trustee (ONRT) and capital outlay funding from FY22 and FY23. ONRT funding will be applied to construction of the project. The Water Authority is pursuing additional funding opportunities including a River Stewardship Program grant from the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and a Water Trust Board grant.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.