Construction on a new water treatment plant in Las Vegas is set to begin in Summer 2026, marking a major step toward strengthening the city’s water infrastructure and ensuring safe drinking water for decades to come.
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Designed in partnership with the New Mexico Environment Department, the new facility will significantly upgrade the city’s aging water treatment system. Improvements include optimized pre-treatment processes to better remove cloudiness and natural debris, along with the installation of granular activated carbon filters that will reduce dissolved materials responsible for taste, odor, and discoloration in drinking water.
“This new treatment plant is a signal that investment in Las Vegas is not stopping,” said Environment Secretary James Kenney. “Alongside our ongoing improvements to Las Vegas’ water system — made in partnership between the City of Las Vegas and the New Mexico Environment Department — this project is assuring safe and reliable drinking water for generations to come.”
The general site has been selected, and design work is currently underway. Once operational, the advanced plant will initially process 3.56 million gallons of water per day — a substantial increase over the city’s current 2.5-million-gallon capacity. The upgraded system will serve approximately 14,880 residents.
To support long-term population growth and future development, the design also includes the ability to expand capacity to 5 million gallons per day, providing flexibility and resilience for decades ahead.
City leaders emphasized that the project reflects a broader commitment to water quality, reliability, and sustainable growth.
“Delivering on water quality, quantity, reliability, and a strong water future has been the commitment of myself and the entire governing body,” said Las Vegas Mayor David Romero. “We have made tremendous progress toward those goals, and there is so much more to come.”
The new treatment facility builds on recent infrastructure improvements, including installation of new pretreatment filter beds, debris and sediment removal from the Gallinas River, and upgrades to overflow drainage systems. These efforts were undertaken to stabilize the water system following widespread disruptions caused by wildfire and flooding.
Funding for the project comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency Claims Office and state allocations provided in response to the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and subsequent flooding. The disaster severely damaged local water systems, leading to outages and boil water advisories that affected residents and businesses across the community.
Although the system has since stabilized, city officials note that it remains more than 60 years old and highly vulnerable to future environmental stressors. The new plant is intended to fully replace aging infrastructure and prevent similar emergencies moving forward.
At the same time as groundbreaking, the city will install new Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filters at the existing treatment plant to maintain safe and reliable drinking water during construction.
The new water treatment plant represents more than just a capacity upgrade — it is part of a long-term resilience strategy for northeastern New Mexico communities facing increased wildfire risk, climate variability, and aging infrastructure challenges.
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By nearly doubling treatment capacity and incorporating advanced filtration technology, the city aims to improve public health protections, support economic development, and restore public confidence following recent environmental crises.
City officials say the project will also create construction activity and local economic benefits during the build phase, while providing a stable foundation for residential growth and business expansion in the years ahead.
With design progressing and funding secured, Las Vegas leaders describe the upcoming groundbreaking as a turning point in modernizing one of the city’s most critical public systems.
Originally reported by Las Vegas Optic.
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