Offering financial assistance to small communities across the state
The New Mexico Environment Department’s LeakTracer Funding Program offers financial assistance to water systems serving communities of fewer than 20,000 residents across the state. This program helps small utilities identify and address water loss by funding advanced, satellite-guided leak detection services. Utilities are only responsible for the cost of repairs; detection is fully covered by the grant.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
The Leak Tracer Program is available for utilities who meet the following criteria:
- Communities of 20,000 people or less.
- Water systems that are in good standing with the Rural Infrastructure Loan Program. (RIP is the funding vehicle for NMED’s Leak Tracer Program).
Program Scope
Grant funding includes:
- Satellite-guided leak detection
- Boots-on-the-ground leak verification
- Final report of findings
Contact
There are two methods to reach the LeakTracer program:
LeakTracer Hotline: (505) 841-LEAK (5325)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Eligible?
All public water systems in New Mexico who serve communities with less than 20,000 people and are in good standing with NMED’s Rural Infrastructure Loan Program (RIP).
What does the program cover?
NMED’s LeakTracer Program will completely cover all expenses associated with leak detection of leaks in water utilities drinking water delivery systems. LeakTracer will furnish a final report to each participating utility, documenting where leaks are located with an estimate of leak severity.
Each water system is responsible for making repairs to the identified leaks.
Is this a loan or a grant?
The LeakTracer Program is 100% grant.
What are the terms of this loan/grant?
The grant is 100% subsidized by the State of New Mexico.
What is the application timeline?
Year-round on a rolling basis. The Rural Infrastructure Loan Program is structured to provide up to $2M annually to utilities through combined loan / grant program, where up to $500,000 can be secured in grant funding, and another $1.5M can be secured through a 1% interest loan.
How do I apply?
Applications are processed through NMED’s RIP application.
What are my responsibilities as a utility?
Each utility is responsible for fulfilling the terms and conditions associated with getting a RIP grant award. Further, each utility will need to provide points of contact for the vendor to work with through the complete process.
Finally, it is incumbent on each utility that applies for LeakTracer funding that the utility is committed to effectuating the repair of the detected leaks.
Can I apply multiple times for the grant?
Yes, RIP funding is available on an annual basis (up to $2M per year, with the requirement that all conditions are met in previous RIP award before a new award can be considered).
What is satellite-guided leak detection?
Satellite-guided leak detection uses L-Band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to detect soil moisture anomalies of potable water underground. These areas of interest (AOIs) are then confirmed by traditional boots-on-the-ground (BOTG) leak detection crews.
The technology is non-invasive, penetrating concrete and vegetation to find potential water leaks regardless of weather conditions or time of day.