ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – It’s a big step forward on the westside to help usher in expected development in the area as the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority said it’s finally getting a special treatment plant it needs to provide a lot more clean drinking water there.

In the desert near Albuquerque’s Petroglyphs, it’s a new gem for water treatment that the water authority said should finally address a big problem. “Right now, we have to pull water from the east side of town to serve our west side customers and what this will allow us to do is have wells that are operational right there with the local community,” said Rachel Stone, Communications Specialist for Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority.

Those five wells have been around in the Volcano Cliffs for years, but the water authority hasn’t been able to use them after the EPA changed standards for how much arsenic is allowed in local water sources. This new facility is equipped to filter out arsenic, providing clean water for 83,000 customers in the immediate area. “The water authority is very excited to have these five wells brought back online. It’s part of our plan for drought resiliency as we move into the future so that we have water in our city for generations to come,” said Stone.

Westside city councilor Dan Lewis said he’s glad to see the facility, saying it’s needed in one of the fastest-growing areas of Albuquerque. “There’s a lot of great property that is zoned for both multi-housing as well as retail and commercial, and so, it’s an area of our city that’s very primed for growth,” said Dan Lewis, Albuquerque City Councilor.

Crews will also add new underground vault improvements, with the project aimed to finish by fall 2026. “The construction will continue, but the investment of time is going to be really worthwhile for our customers and residents on the west side,” said Stone.

The entire project is expected to cost nearly $31 million. Half of that comes from federal American Rescue Plan funds, while the rest is from state and local sources. The water authority said they currently have four small arsenic treatment facilities in Albuquerque, but this new facility will be the largest.