Doña Ana County commissioners are moving forward with plans for a new desalination plant in Santa Teresa, aiming to secure $25 million in state funding to enhance the region’s water supply.
At a recent meeting, commissioners approved a resolution to apply for the funds from the New Mexico Environment Department’s Strategic Water Supply Program. The proposed facility, part of the Santa Teresa Aquifer Resiliency (STAR) project, is estimated to cost $75 million in total.
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County officials plan to contribute up to $15 million from tax revenue generated by Project Jupiter, a controversial AI data center project set to be built in Santa Teresa that was approved last month. The desalination plant would use reverse osmosis technology to treat brackish groundwater, producing up to four million gallons of drinking water daily.
Stephen Lopez, Dona Ana County assistant manager, highlighted the potential of the region’s water resources. “There is a lot of water here, you just can’t see it, it’s underground,” Lopez said. “There are actually three really large aquifers available with water. It’s just a matter of getting to it and making sure it’s safe for people to drink.”
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If the state approves the funding application, officials anticipate that the design process could begin next year, with completion expected in about three years.
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