NAVAJO GALLUP WATER SUPPLY PROJECT

The Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project (NGWSP) is a major water infrastructure project to increase access to safe drinking water and to improve the quality of life for rural communities.

The NGWSP will convey surface water from the San Juan River to eastern and northern Navajo Nation, the Jicarilla Apache Nation, the City of Gallup and McKinley County. There will be:
  • Over 300 miles of pipeline (10- to 54-inch diameter),
  • 21 pumping stations,
  • 2 water treatment plants,  
  • Storage tanks, and 
  • Transmission powerlines

MAPS

NGWSP San Juan Lateral Reach Map
File Size: 2805 kb
File Type: pdf
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NGWSP Gallup Regional Water System
File Size: 536 kb
File Type: pdf
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NGWSP Reach Phasing Map
File Size: 164 kb
File Type: pdf
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PLANNING DOCUMENTS

NGWSP Environmental Impact Statement
File Size: 16423 kb
File Type: pdf
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Small Water Systems Regionalization Plan
File Size: 6795 kb
File Type: pdf
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SWS Regionalization Plan, Phase IIB Summary Report
File Size: 3808 kb
File Type: pdf
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PRESENTATION SLIDES

NGWSP Bringing Water to the Diné, June 2024
File Size: 5031 kb
File Type: pdf
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NGWSP Cutter Lateral, November 2016
File Size: 5145 kb
File Type: pdf
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Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project
File Size: 4630 kb
File Type: pdf
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WATER REGIONALIZATION INITIATIVE

MCKINLEY WATER REGIONALIZATION INITIATIVE
McKinley County and stakeholders have collectively

McKinley County and its partners developed the McKinley County Small Rural Water Systems Appraisal Level Investigation report in 2015 that recognizes the status and needs of each system and which potential approach and project design will greatly benefit each community.

​This appraisal study is pursuant to the Reclamation Rural Water Supply Act of 2006 (43 U.S.C. §§ 2401-2409 (Supp. 2011)) and appraisal criteria included in Reclamation’s Rural Water Supply Program interim final rule (43 C.F.R. Part 404) (Rule) (Code of Federal Regulations [CFR], 2009).
The City of Gallup, McKinley County and Small Water Systems (more commonly referred to as Special Districts) are planning to tap into the regional NGWSP transmission network to acquire and access long-term sustainable water supply. Small water systems in McKinley CO are non-tribal communities that offer drinking water and wastewater services to respective communities via water and sewer infrastructure  build-out. More often then none, infrastructure in these communities are aging and in critical need of improvements.

​RWPO's goal is to connect with every rural community in the northwest region to assist with securing funding sources to replace and improve existing assets through regional collaboration and coordination. 

PLANNING DOCUMENTS

Small Rural Water Systems Appraisal Level Report
File Size: 21746 kb
File Type: pdf
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Gallup Regional Chapters Water Plan
File Size: 2135 kb
File Type: pdf
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NGWSP Regulatory Compliance White Paper
File Size: 360 kb
File Type: pdf
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Gallup/NGWSP Water Commons Drought Contingency Plan
File Size: 1588 kb
File Type: pdf
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NORTHWEST NEW MEXICO UTILITY AUTHORITY

Next Board Meeting:

RWPD and standing partners are currently working with (system) Board Members to discuss and outline work plan to reorganize the "JPA" under the (Senate Bill 1) Regional Water System Resiliency Act, as a beneficial option for regional small water system communities. 


NWNMUA BOARD MEETING

Wednesday, July 15, 2026
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

GAMERCO CHURCH OF GOD 
206 Ray Avenue, Gamerco, NM 87317

MEETING LINK
NWNMUA Board Meeting Agenda, June 23, 2026
File Size: 243 kb
File Type: pdf
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September 2022 - The officially signing of the Joint Powers Agreement between member systems - Gamerco WSD, Yahtahey WSD, and White Cliffs MDWUA. 
Steps Toward Forming a SB1 Entity
File Size: 196 kb
File Type: pdf
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Senate bill 1 — regional small systems resiliency act

The New Mexico Legislature enacted the Regional Water System Resiliency Act (Senate Bill 1, 56th Legislature, Chapter 4, Laws 2023), effective July 1, 2023, providing for the creation of Regional Utility Authorities as political subdivisions of the state of New Mexico. The Act authorizes two or more water or wastewater utilities to form a Regional Utility Authority and consolidate governance, assets, liabilities, and water rights into a single entity.

The Northwest New Mexico Utility Authority was originally formed through a 'joint powers agreement' process where the three (3) member systems — Gamerco Water & Sanitation District, Yahtahey Water & Sanitation District, White Cliffs Mutual Domestic Water Users Association — 'joined' while still functioning independently of one another. While this process helped achieve a certain level of combined services, the functionality of the Authority only provided oversight and not actual system management and operations. Currently, there are four (4) board meetings held each month, two (2) separate accountants and accounting systems, hiring of four (4) separate auditors, filings four (4) annual audits, manage two separate billing systems, and over an estimated $18 million in total infrastructure funding needs. The estimated total infrastructure needs throughout the northwest region is an estimated $100 million. 

Under this SB1 reorganization, the Authority will only require the contracting of one accountant, one bookkeeper/ customer service, two certified water/wastewater operators, one annual audit filing, one monthly board meeting, and automated meter readings and billing systems (via online software). Other regional small water systems have the option to join the Authority or access much needed services through agreements and contracts. 

Update 4/30/26: White Cliffs MDWUA officially pull out from joining the SB1 merger process for the JPA. Both Gamerco WSD and Yahtahey WSD are moving forward. 

2026 SB1 PLANNING SCHEDULE & Updates
     •  Each member system must officially agree/approve Pre-Hearing Resolutions to convert the JPA under SB1.

     •  Hold two (2) community public hearings.
                 ♦  Public Hearing 1 held Saturday, January 10, 2026
                 ♦  Public Hearing 2 held  Saturday, February 7, 2026
                 ♦  Public Hearing 3 held  Saturday, March 14, 2026
                 ♦  Public Hearing 4 held  Saturday, April 18, 2026

      •  Board members of each member system must hold work sessions with the Technical Assistance Providers:​
                 ♦  Work Session 1 held Saturday, December 7, 2025​
                 ♦  Work Session 2 held Saturday, February 7, 2026
                 ♦  Work Session 3 held Saturday, March 14, 2026
                 ♦  Work Session 4 held Saturday, April 18, 2026
                 ♦  Work Session 5 held Saturday, May 30, 2026
                 ♦  Work Session 6 held Saturday, June 20, 2026, 9am to Noon, COG Conference Room
                 ♦  Work Session 7 to be held Saturday, July 25, 2026, 9am to Noon, TBD

Tasks Completed: 
      •  Held a minimum of two public hearings with each community.
      •  Held a series of work sessions with board members of each system.
      •  JPA/Gamerco/Yahtahey/White Cliffs - each officially approved Pre-Hearing Resolutions.
      •  JPA/Gamerco/Yahtahey - each officially approved Post-Hearing Resolutions.
      •  JPA officially approved Joint After Public Hearing Resolution.
      •  JPA officially approved the revised ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION and BYLAWS.
      •  Finalize Merger Plan (NWNMUA) and Community Work Plan (COG/RCAC). (Merger work to continue into June 2027) 
      •  Filed with the NM Office of the Secretary of State (Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Service Area Map).

Next Steps: 
      •  Secure copy of File Certificate for the Northwest New Mexico Utility Authority (NWNMUA, or "Utility Authority").
      •  Finalize complete Merger process for the Utility Authority; fully dissolving Gamerco/Yahtahey.
     •  CELEBRATE!
      •  Work with key partners and legislators to start securing critical infrastructure funding and support.

REGIONAL WATER COMMONS MEETING

​These virtual meetings are intended to keep all small water systems and communities informed on latest news, updates, events, training, and funding opportunities. There will be open discussions on issues and needs. This is a line of support and communication to develop efficient planning strategies.
Next RWC Meeting:

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2026
11:00 am to 12:00 pm

​
Teams Meeting Link
Previous RWC Meeting: 
Thursday,  May 13, 2026
Meeting Recording

NMFA TAP UPDATES

In October 2025, several small water systems, involved in water regionalization initiatives in the northwest region, were approved to received professional services for free, under the New Mexico Finance Authority's Technical Assistance Program (TAP). Made possible with legislative funding and support, NMFA contracted with professional service contractors in engineering, accounting, facilitation and legal. 

The Northwest NM Utility Authority member systems were approved for such services: 
  1. "JPA" -  ​Facilitation Services (SB1 regionalization efforts) and Accounting Services (for combined finances): Gamerco WSD and Yahtahey WSD moving forward with SB1 merger, under the Utility Authority. 
  2. Gamerco - Engineering Services to develop both Water & Wastewater PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING REPORTS (PER).
  3. Yahtahey - Facilitation/Accounting Services.
  4. White Cliffs - Engineering Services to develop both Water & Wastewater PERs.

Other regional systems that were eligible for these services include: 
  1. Allison Domestic Water Users Association (Gallup, NM) - Engineering Services to develop a Wastewater PER.
  2. Whispering Cedars Mutual Domestic Water Users Association (Jamestown, NM) - Engineering Services to develop a Water PER.
  3. San Rafael Water & Sanitation District - Engineering Services to develop both Water & Wastewater PER.
  4. North Star Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association - Engineering Services to develop a Water PER.
  5. Bluewater Acres Domestic Water Users Association - Engineering Services to develop a Water PER. 

PROJECT UPDATES
  1. Allison Wastewater PER - completed; closed out. 
  2. Gamerco Water PER - pending.
  3. Gamerco Wastewater PER - pending.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

COG/RWPD is coordinating with key partners with the New Mexico Environment Department, the (University of New Mexico) Southwest Environmental Finance Center (SWEFC) and Rural Communities Assistance Corporation (RCAC) to provide training opportunities for small water systems and local and tribal entities.
​

Here's a peek of upcoming meetings and events. If you would like to add an event, please email [email protected].

​
(NMED/RCAC Dual Training)

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Bluewater WSD District Office
14 Pinon Street, Bluewater, New Mexico 87005


"LEAD & COPPER RULE CHANGES"
9:00am to 12:00pm


"PREPARING SANITARY SURVEYS"
1:00pm to 3:00pm
​
​​
Register Here

(New Mexico Water & Wastewater Association)
​
West Central Operator Training

Wednesday, July 8, 2026 

Thursday, July 9, 2026
​

Coyote del Malpais Golf Course
2001 George Hanosh Boulevard, Grants, NM 87020


Register Here
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STATE REGULATORY COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS

All small public water systems are required by law to follow and adhere to state and federal regulatory compliance requirements, based on how each entity was established and is registered with the State of New Mexico. Systems must remain in regulatory compliance with the following state agencies that manage and provide oversight in specific areas. 
  1. NM Secretary of State ​
  2. Attorney General’s Office  
  3. Department of Finance & Administration - Local Government Division 
  4. State Auditor’s Office 
  5. NM Environment Department 
  6. NM Tax and Revenue 
  7. Office of the State Engineer 
You can access and download a copy of the poster-size State Regulatory Compliance Calendar below. 
Executive Order 2013-006
File Size: 247 kb
File Type: pdf
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CCR Guide for New Mexico Water Systems
File Size: 1605 kb
File Type: pdf
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Water Quality Monitoring Schedule Instructions
File Size: 1223 kb
File Type: pdf
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Regulatory Reporting Requirements (poster)
File Size: 357 kb
File Type: pdf
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Regulatory Reporting Requirements (tabloid)
File Size: 252 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
CONTACT US
Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments
106 West Aztec Avenue
Gallup, NM 87301
Phone: (505) 722-4327
Fax: (505) 722-9211
Copyright @ www.nwnmcog.org