TEXAS - NEW MEXICO - CHIHUAHUA REGIONAL WORKGROUP
October 2009
LORDSBURG, NEW MEXICO DRINKING
WATER PLANT
U.S. - MEXICO
BORDFR 2012
GOAL 1: Reduce Water
Contamination
Approximately $700,000
BEIF Funds benefiting
3,300 - 4,400 persons
Photo of Activated Alumina Vessels in Lordsburg, New Mexico.
In June 2009, Lordsburg, New
Mexico began operating its new
water treatment plant to meet the
state and federal requirements of
the Maximum Contaminant Level
(MCL) for fluoride in drinking
water of 4 mg/L. In May 2004, the
New Mexico Environment
Department issued the City of
Lordsburg a Cooperative
Compliance Order to meet the
drinking water standards. Prior to
construction, the City of Lordsburg
reported fluoride levels as high as
12 mg/L in some of their water
wells used for their public system.
Excessive levels of fluoride
have been known to cause adverse
health effects, such as skeletal
fluorosis. A secondary maximum
contaminant level of 2 mg/L is also
set to protect against dental
fluorosis. The implementation of
the project will provide the
following benefits:
•	The reduction of fluoride in
the city's water;
•	An improved water treatment
system;
•	Improved health for the
community;
•	Regulatory compliance;
•	The eventual elimination of
dental fluorosis or mottled teeth;
•	The eventual elimination of
skeletal flourosis;
•	The elimination of fluoride
poisoning.
The project involved
construction of an activated
alumina treatment system at the
well entry site, as well as the
addition of 1,200 linear feet of
waterline to connect the Smith
Well to the treatment plant, and
3,720 linear feet of sewer line to
dispose of backwash flush water.
The project is set to benefit a
population of approximately 4,400
people based on 20-year
projections.
Total project cost was
approximately US$2 Million, of
which approximately $700,000
came from EPA's Border
Enviromnental Infrastructure Fund
(BEIF). Other Partners that helped
sponsor this project included the:
State of New Mexico; U.S.
Department of Agriculture - Rural
Development; EPA State and
Tribal Assistance Grant and
Lordsburg City Utility.
For more information please
contact: Gilbert Tellez (Tellez.gilbert@epa.gov) or
visit the
Border Environment Cooperation Commission:
(http://www.cocef.org/aproyectos/LordsburgPCDFIN
AL.pdf) or
North American Development Bank:
(http://www.nadb.org/pdfs/state_projects/FS%20Lor
dsburg%20NM%2003-07.pdf)

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