Water Policy Advisory Committee Meeting - April 13, 2026

Meeting Date: April 13, 2026 (3:30 PM UTC)
Location: Clovis, NM
Committee Present: Mayor Pro Tem Bryant, Commissioner Tarsen, Commissioner Jones, Commissioner Zamora, Raymond Mondragon, Vince DeMaio, Seth Martin, Richard Bradfute, Allahandra Espinoza, Leo Lovett (newest member). Quorum was barely met.

Absent: None noted.
Presiding: Chairman (Mayor Pro Tem Bryant)

Approval of Minutes

• Motion and second to approve the minutes of April 14, 2025. All in favor; none opposed. Approved.

Presentation: Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority Rural Water System

Speakers: Mark Howell (Executive Director) and Jacqueline Bowens (Deputy Director) of the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority (ENMWUA).

Key content:

• Update on the Ute Reservoir to member communities pipeline project.
• Pipeline segments: Raw Water 1A (14 miles) out for bid, bids due May 2026; Raw Water 1B & 2 funding line of sight expected by end of 2026, bids possible late 2026/early 2027; Raw Water 3 (22 miles of 42-inch pipe) over 50% complete; Finished Water 1 (16 miles) nearly complete, punch list finalization by May–June 2026; Finished Water 2 complete; Cannon Lateral complete; Finished Water 3 (to Portales) complete; Texaco Lateral construction started early 2026, ~17% complete, expected completion end of 2026/early 2027 – will allow water conveyance through infrastructure to Clovis Airport connection; Elida Lateral (4-inch diameter) downstream of water treatment plant with pump stations.
• 90 miles of pipeline either completed, out to bid, or in construction.
• Next focus: pump stations and storage tanks (intake and caprock), currently ~90% design of water treatment plant (WTP). Water treatment pilot ongoing at intake.
• Goal to deliver surface water by 2031, subject to funding.

Deep Well Injection Discussion:

• Commissioner Zamora asked about concerns from farmers regarding deep well injection for WTP concentrate. Mr. Howell explained the decision after extensive study; deep well injection (Class I wells) is deemed safest and most effective. He cited EPA studies showing 60 years without incident. He emphasized the permit process with NMED will include public comment. The committee discussed the importance of transparency. Mr. Howell noted that ENMWUA board meetings are open to the public.

Presentation: Water Conservation Month – Playa Lakes and Tomorrow’s Water Program

Speaker: Alina Vulcan, Playa & Water Conservation Outreach Specialist, Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV).

Key content:

• April is Water Conservation Month in Clovis.
• Playas are small temporary wetlands that serve as primary recharge source for Ogallala Aquifer; average 3 inches recharge per year, with 4-acre playa supplying a family of four for two years. 80% of playas modified; restoration involves sediment removal, native vegetation buffers, and redirecting water.
• PLJV’s “Tomorrow’s Water” program is community-driven, voluntary, multi-state (CO, KS, NM, OK, TX).
• Mapped playas within 2 and 10 miles of Clovis; many healthy, but pitted/farmed playas near Texaco area. Working with Ogallala Land and Water Conservancy (Dr. Ladonna Clayton) – 34,000 acres, adding 20,000; 13 playas identified, 3 being restored with NM Game and Fish.
• Asked committee for input on education and renewed interest in restoring city-owned playas.

Committee Discussion:

• Members suggested partnering with soil and water conservation districts (Central Curry, Roosevelt, Southwest Quay), schools (FFA, Clovis Community College via board member), and public outreach. City’s current stewardship practices explained by Mr. Hobalt (vegetative buffers, no mowing of playa bottoms, sediment basins at Goodwin Playa, riprap to reduce erosion).
• Committee encouraged reaching out to children and farmers.

Comments from Dr. Ladonna Clayton

• Dr. Clayton expressed pride in Clovis’s water resilience efforts, crediting the 2017 Master Water Assurance Plan for diversifying the water portfolio. She noted Portales remains under Stage 2 emergency restrictions and emphasized Clovis’s stronger position.

Report: Epcor – Water Supply and System Update

Speaker: Mark Werta, Epcor.

Key statistics and updates:

• Total pumping capacity: 10.5 million gallons per day (MGD).
• 2025 average day demand: 5.3 MGD; max day: 9.2 MGD (consistent with last 5 years).
• Q1 2026 average: 4.9 MGD; max so far: 7.1 MGD.
• Conservation efforts credited for flat demand despite growth.
• Nearing completion on 3 new wells adding 490 GPM; total active wells: 78 (63 owned, 15 leased). Lease well program (since 2009) converts agricultural wells to municipal use.
• Maintenance: Replaced 4 system valves, 914 meters, 5 fire hydrants in 2025; performed PM on 799 hydrants and 576 valves (5-year cycle).
• New service requests: 94 in 2025 (down, but ticking up in 2026 due to multifamily).
• Projects: Completion of 60/84 East project water line improvements; MLK project; 14th & Norris pump station rehab; upcoming lease well addition (250 GPM); demolition of Sandia high tank; Texaco lateral tie-in designed.
• Upcoming US 60/84 Middle project (cooperative with NMDOT) will replace undersized water mains and upsizing to 12-inch.
• Conservation outreach: Watering schedule (even/odd addresses, no Monday watering); rebate programs (toilets, washers, landscaping, rain barrels); water conservation kits and leak audit kits; community events including water carnival on May 7 for 5th graders.

Report: City of Clovis Utilities – Sewer and Reuse System Update

Speaker: Mr. Hobalt, City Manager.

Key updates:

• City will also replace sewer lines (clay pipe to PVC) under the US 60/84 Middle project.
• Reuse system Phase 3: Design underway to increase capacity of Front Nine pond at Colonial Park Golf Course and ponds at Hillcrest Park (requires sewer line relocation). Technical memo complete; will apply for Water Trust Board funding.
• Existing reuse system delivered 115 million gallons through January 2026 (0.3 MGD). Bob Spencer Park recently connected. Mike Harris baseball field is the last remaining city facility to connect. Working with Clovis Municipal School District on their connections.

Key Outcomes & Next Steps

• Minutes approved (April 14, 2025).
• No formal votes on agenda items; all presentations and reports received as information.
• Next meeting: Scheduled for July 13, 2026.
• Adjourned at approximately [time not stated].