NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is
intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the
legislature. The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume
responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used for
other purposes.
The most recent FIR
version (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) is available on the Legislative
Website. The Adobe PDF version includes
all attachments, whereas the HTML version does not. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be
obtained from the LFC in
|
SPONSOR: |
Rawson |
DATE TYPED: |
|
HB |
|
||
|
SHORT TITLE: |
Information on Water Infrastructure Problems |
SB |
SJM 18 |
||||
|
|
ANALYST: |
Chabot |
|||||
APPROPRIATION
|
Appropriation
Contained |
Estimated
Additional Impact |
Recurring or
Non-Rec |
Fund Affected |
||
|
FY03 |
FY04 |
FY03 |
FY04 |
|
|
|
|
|
$134.4 |
|
Non-recurring |
General
Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Parenthesis
( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
LFC Files
Responses
Received From
Office
of the State Engineer (OSE)
SUMMARY
Synopsis
of Bill
Senate Joint Memorial
18 requests that the Water Trust Board (WTB) and OSE compile information on
leakage and other water infrastructure problems of water systems and recommend
appropriate remedies to the appropriate interim Legislative committee by
December 1, 2003.
Significant
Issues
The WTB estimates that there are $2.25 billion
needed in New Mexico over the next 40 years for water infrastructure projects;
however, information on maintenance requirements of existing systems is not
readily available. Funding mechanisms
need to be identified to ensure that water systems are properly maintained and
repaired as needed. Federal responsibilities,
such as levy repair on the Rio Grande, need to be included in the assessment
and communicated to the appropriate federal agencies and the New Mexico
congressional delegation.
OSE states that a standard data requirement form
would need to be developed. The study
would entail two steps: performing water
demand analysis and audits to determine where efficiencies in delivery could be
improved; and address where losses are occurring in the systems.
NMFA, while not providing specifics, states that
water infrastructure problems costs millions of gallons on an annual basis.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
There is no
appropriation for the study in the joint memorial. The study should identify significant funding
needs for future appropriations and OSE estimates that it will cost $134.4
including 2 FTE to conduct.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
Close coordination
with municipal, mutual domestic and small water system operators would be
required to ensure complete data is obtained.
OSE should ensure that the information collected is used in a state
water plan. The New Mexico Environment
Department could provide significant information on drinking water systems.
TECHNICAL ISSUES
Page 2, line 9 insert after the word “board” “,the
New Mexico environment department”.
Page 2, Line 20 insert after the word “board” “the
New Mexico environment department”.
Recommend that the
compiled information be categorized by immediacy of repair to ensure public
safety and health.
OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES
OSE points out that wasting
water is a misdemeanor and that the statement on page 1, line 19, may be an
“over statement.”
POSSIBLE QUESTIONS