US Bureau of Reclamation awards contract for New Mexico water supply project

The US Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) has awarded a $10.75m contract to design-build firm McMillen to build the first phase of the Navajo-Gallup water supply project.

The contract requires McMillen to place about four miles of 42-inch diameter water supply pipeline and appurtenant facilities in McKinley County.

A portion of the future reaches will be constructed by USBR under its own authorities, while other portions will be built by the city of Gallup, Navajo Nation, and Indian Health Service.

Once completed, the project will include 280 miles of pipeline, pumping plants and two treatment plants which will mee the needs of more than 43 Navajo chapters; the city of Gallup, New Mexico; and the Teepee Junction area of the Jicarilla Apache Nation.

McMillen is expected to commence construction in late 2012, and once the construction is underway, the first water delivery to Navajo communities is expected occur in two to three years.

Public Law 111-11, which authorised the project, requires construction of all features to be completed by 31 December 2024.