By Cassie McClure
Published in the Las Cruces Sun-News 2/7/21
The growth of Las Cruces is not only measured in its populations but the success of its businesses. Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) can support the infrastructure needed for new and established large companies that may find a new home in the West Mesa Industrial Park (WMIP).
“There’s room for development within our systems for businesses that may not need just the large amounts of space available at the WMIP but also have a demand for larger amounts of natural gas, increased water usage, and efficient disposal of wastewater,” said Delilah Walsh, LCU director.
"The infrastructure of the area is ready to support new construction immediately," Ifo Pili, City of Las Cruces (CLC) city manager, said. "LCU has a strong team that that can work with business to understand their utility needs. As businesses plan to build at the industrial park, LCU can meet even high utility demands.”
Some helpful facts for companies to consider WMIP as the perfect spot:
- The natural gas distribution line includes a 4-inch high-pressure gas line with 125 pound per square inch (PSI) line operating pressure and a 2- and 4-inch low-pressure gas line with 30 to 60 PSI line operating pressure. The natural gas capacity is 95 million cubic feet per hour for existing gas line operating pressure.
- The water tank storage system has three tanks with a capacity to store 4,900,000 gallons of water. In 2020 a $650,000.00 booster station rehabilitation for the main pressure source of water at the Las Cruces International Airport (LCIA) and WMIP, which included upgraded pumps, upgraded pump house, and connections to the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. The LCIA water pressure zone ranges from 60 to 115 PSI.
- Eight booster pumps ranging from 7.5 horsepower to 200 horsepower and 95 gallons to 1,050 gallons per minute. The pressurized distribution system includes an 8-inch to 18-inch pressurized water lines with up to 8,000 gallons per minute distribution capacity.
- WMIP also has well water access with chlorinated treated well water with a capacity of 5,000 gallons per minute. The distribution is regulated by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Safety Water Act. Billing is based on access and volume.
- The LCU wastewater treatment facility can treat 400,000 gallons per day. It includes a Gravity Collection System that has 8-inch to 12-inch gravity sewer lines with 400 to 1,700 gallons per minute transfer capacity.
- LCU adheres to an Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP) which regulates industrial facilities that discharge wastewater into our sewer system which may contain potentially toxic substances. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Water Act mandates that Las Cruces Utilities is responsible for implementing and administering permits for this program.
LCU can be reached at 575-528-3500 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. LCU provides services to approximately 100,000 Las Cruces residents and businesses.
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PHOTO 1: The water tank welcomes visitors from the LCIA and supports new economic development for the city at the WMIP.