The non-profit Water Well Trust has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Household Water Well Systems program to boost potable water access to rural homes in nine New Mexico counties.
The grant, along with matching funds, will be used in the following counties: Catron, Socorro, Grant, Sierra, Luna, Hildalgo, Dona Ana, Otera and Chaves. The counties include several non-zoned areas called “colonias,” which do not meet current building code standards. Many of these areas lack access to safe water and need improved water well systems. These counties also show high rates of poverty.