© 2024 KRWG
News that Matters.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Air Force Study Backs NM Water Pipeline

One eastern New Mexico water official says support from Cannon Air Force Base may help in the effort to secure more federal funding for the $500 million Ute pipeline project.

Eastern New Mexico Rural Water Authority chair Gayla Brumfield tells the Portales News-Tribune (http://bit.ly/12lGCxM) that a study commissioned by the base is in line with regional concerns about potential impacts of a declining Ogallala Aquifer.

Some officials have called the pipeline one of the most critical rural drinking water projects in the U.S. since groundwater supplies in the region aren't expected to meet future demand.

Cannon Capt. Laurence van der Oord says the eastern New Mexico base recognizes the importance and urgency of the project.

Brumfield says the federal government has funded $3 million of the project so far.

___

Information from: Portales News-Tribune, http://www.pntonline.com

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.