DOE Determination - NM 14 & Turquoise Tr Elementary & Bulk Water Station Water line repair

Description

Justin S. Greene Adam Fulton Johnson Commissioner, District 1 Commissioner, District 4 Lisa Cacari Stone Hank Hughes Commissioner, District 2 Commissioner, District 5 Camilla Bustamante Gregory S. Shaffer Commissioner, District 3 County Manager MEMORANDUM DATE: June 26, 2026 TO: File FROM: Bill Taylor, Procurement Manager, CPO Via: Jason Crighton, Deputy Public Work Utilities Director Travis Soderquist, Public Works Utilities Division Director RE: Declaration of Emergency to Procure the Necessary Repairs to a Water Service Line Leak Located at NM Hwy 14 & Turquoise Trail School & Ojo de Agua Bulk Water Station in Santa Fe New Mexico ISSUE The line break at the Bulk Water Station was reported on April 12, 2026, the same day as the Turquoise Trail (NM-14 near Turquoise Trail School) line break described in this Declaration of Emergency. The Turquoise Trail break was reported at approximately 6:55 a.m. While crews were attempting to isolate that leak, it is believed that pressure increased within the system. This increase in pressure likely caused a pipe inside the Bulk Water Station to separate from its fitting. County Utilities personnel contacted Blueline Construction to make the water line repairs. During repairs, it was discovered that the pipe had not been fully inserted into the fitting during installation. The resulting leak caused a significant loss of water at the Bulk Water Station. Due to the volume of water spraying throughout the facility, there was substantial concern that electrical equipment within the station could be damaged. The shutdown of the Bulk Water Station affected only customers using the station to obtain water. During my time on-site (approximately 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). An estimated 8– 10 customers being turned away. Efforts to isolate the leak were initially unsuccessful. The valve adjacent to the station did not stop the flow of water. Crews subsequently closed approximately a dozen valves in the surrounding area, yet water continued flowing to the station. There was concern that additional valve closures could interrupt water service to critical facilities, including the Adult Detention Facility (ADF) and the Regional Emergency Communications Center (RECC). As a result, the decision was made to engage TLC to excavate near the malfunctioning valve and install a new valve under pressure if necessary. During excavation, at a depth of approximately six feet, crews 102 Grant Avenue · P.O.