- A wastewater plant upgrade increases daily capacity by 60 percent.
- Treated water will be reused for irrigation instead of drinking supplies.
- The project supports growth and long-term drought planning.
- A second phase will add even more capacity later in 2026.
Monday, March 23, 2026 — In Rio Communities, New Mexico, a quiet but important upgrade is taking place beneath the surface. As of February 2026, New Mexico Water Service completed the first phase of improvements to its Rio Del Oro water reclamation facility
, expanding its treatment capacity from 200,000 gallons per day to 320,000 gallons per day.
That increase may sound technical, but its purpose is simple. The region is growing, and water is limited. This upgrade helps meet both challenges at once.
Turning Wastewater Into a Resource.
The facility uses advanced filtration technology to clean wastewater so it can be safely reused. Instead of sending all treated water away, part of it will now be recycled for irrigation.
As early as summer 2026, that recycled water is expected to help irrigate Las Maravillas Park in Valencia County.
This matters more than it might seem. Every gallon used for irrigation from this system is one less gallon of drinking water pulled from already stressed supplies.
Supporting Growth Without Draining Supplies.
The added capacity is also designed to handle new residential development in the area between Belen and Las Lunas. More homes mean more water demand, but also more wastewater that can be treated and reused.
According to Interim General Manager Chad Meadors, the goal is to provide reliable service while improving quality of life for both current and future residents.
In regions facing long-term drought, that balance is becoming essential.
What Comes Next.
The project is only halfway complete. A second phase is scheduled to begin in summer 2026, with additional upgrades planned for September.
Those improvements include a new effluent station and updated equipment that will allow the plant to expand capacity by another 40,000 gallons per day.
A Broader Shift in the West.
Projects like this reflect a larger trend across the western United States. Communities are no longer treating wastewater as something to dispose of. Instead, it is becoming part of the water supply itself.
In a region where drought is no longer occasional but ongoing, that shift may prove just as important as finding new water sources.
About New Mexico Water Service.
New Mexico Water Service provides high-quality, reliable water and/or wastewater services to about 20,000 people in its Rio Communities, Rio Del Oro, Meadow Lake, Indian Hills, Squaw Valley, Elephant Butte, Sandia Knolls, Juan Tomas, Morningstar, Monterey, and Cypress Gardens systems through 11,400 service connections. New Mexico Water’s purpose is to enhance the quality of life for customers and communities. To do so, it invests responsibly in water and wastewater infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, and community well-being. The company’s employees live by a set of strong core values and share a commitment to protecting the planet, caring for people, and operating with the utmost integrity. The utility, commemorating a century of service this year, has been named one of “America’s Most Responsible Companies” and the “World’s Most Trustworthy Companies” by Newsweek, a USA Top Workplace, and a Great Place to Work®. More information is available at www.newmexicowater.com.
