Background
Bejar Estates is an unincorporated residential development located approximately 3.5 miles outside the community of Socorro and is within the water and wastewater service area of the Lower Valley Water District (LVWD). Residents of Bejar Estates currently use on-site systems such as septic tanks to manage their wastewater. Many of the septic systems are nearly 30 years old and have reached the end of their anticipated service lives, increasing the risk of system failures and wastewater discharges. Moreover, the density of the septic systems poses an increased risk of groundwater contamination, since their drain fields are more likely to become saturated, reducing their capacity to filter the wastewater effectively.
LVWD has been working with El Paso County to extend its systems to unserved communities within its service area. It has completed several sanitary sewer projects in nearby communities, which has made it feasible to extend wastewater services to Bejar Estates. The utility began constructing the Bejar Estates wastewater collection system in 2024 using part of the proceeds of the municipal bond executed with NADBank in 2021. Work to expand the wastewater collection infrastructure to the subdivision has been completed. The final component is to connect the homes to the new sewer system and decommission the on-site sanitary systems, which is generally the responsibility of the homeowner; however, the construction costs would be a significant financial burden for Bejar Estates residents.
Project Scope
The project consists of installing 65 residential wastewater connections and the decommissioning of the existing on-site septic systems.
Benefits
The project will provide first-time access to wastewater collection and treatment services for residents in Bejar Estates and eliminate aging septic systems, thus reducing the potential for groundwater contamination and human health risks associated with waterborne diseases caused by exposure to untreated wastewater. Approximately 17,700 gallons per day of wastewater will be collected and treated.
