- A new $67.7 million contract funds a key intake facility.
- The project will deliver water to Navajo Nation and Gallup.
- More than one in three Navajo households lack indoor plumbing.
- Construction marks the final major pumping plant for the system.
Monday, April 6, 2026 — The Bureau of Reclamation announced today a $67.7 million contract to build a critical intake and pumping facility for the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project
. The contract was awarded to Ames Federal Contracting Group, LLC, and will support construction along the San Juan River in northwest New Mexico.
This new facility will act as the starting point for water entering the San Juan Lateral system. From there, water will move through pipelines to communities across the Navajo Nation and the city of Gallup.
Why This Project Matters.
Access to clean, running water remains a serious challenge in parts of the Navajo Nation. Federal officials say more than one in three residents still live without indoor plumbing, often relying on hauling water long distances.
The Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project is designed to change that. Once complete, it will provide a long-term, reliable water source for homes, schools, and businesses in the region.
How the System Will Work.
The new intake and pumping plant will draw water from the San Juan River and send it into a large pipeline network. The system will include modern features such as:
- Automated controls to adjust water flow based on demand.
- Remote monitoring to improve efficiency and reliability.
- Upgraded hydraulic systems to manage water movement.
These improvements are intended to make the system easier to operate while ensuring steady delivery to communities that depend on it.
Progress and Timeline.
The San Juan Lateral portion of the project is already more than 70 percent complete. Officials expect initial water deliveries to begin in late 2028, with full completion planned by the end of 2029.
The project itself has been years in the making. Authorized in 2009 and under construction since 2012, it represents a major part of the Navajo Nation’s water rights settlement in the San Juan River Basin.
A Large-Scale Infrastructure Effort
When finished, the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project will include:
- About 300 miles of pipeline.
- Two water treatment plants.
- Nineteen pumping plants.
- Multiple storage tanks.
Federal officials describe the intake facility as the final major pumping plant needed to complete the system.
The new contract signals steady progress on one of the most significant water infrastructure projects in the Southwest. For many families, it represents something simple but life-changing: turning on a tap and having clean water flow into the home. More information about the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project is available on the Bureau of Reclamation’s website.
Pictured:Â An artist rendering of the San Juan Lateral Intake and River Pumping Plant to be constructed in northwest New Mexico by Ames Federal Contracting Group, LLC, from Bureau of Reclamation news release.
