Challenges with Designing a Potable Water Transmission Pipeline across the Navajo Reservation

The Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project (NGWSP) is a major infrastructure endeavor that will convey a reliable municipal and industrial water supply for future generations on Navajo Nation land and the Four Corners Region. The project will service northwest New Mexico, including the eastern section of the Navajo Nation, the southwestern portion of the Jicarilla Apache Nation (JAN), and the city of Gallup (COG) via approximately 300 miles of pipeline, 19 pumping plants, and 2 water treatment plants. The pipeline will cross various land ownership types (tribal, state, private, and federal) with different regulatory agencies, and unclear jurisdictional boundaries presenting many obstacles for alignment consideration. Additionally, highly corrosive soils and wash crossings influence the pipe material selection while preserving environmental and cultural resources. Public outreach is vital toward earning the public’s buy-in through education of the residents, informing them of the project’s progress. The NGWSP has a congressionally-mandated deadline for completion by December 31, 2024.