View of new Water Resource Reclamation Facility at 600 Overlook Road in White Rock. Courtesy/LAC

View of new Water Resource Reclamation Facility in White Rock. Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

After five years of work, the White Rock wastewater treatment plant has been replaced by a new Water Resource Reclamation Facility (WRRF) and a ribbon cutting is scheduled for Nov. 6 to celebrate the accomplishment.

Built in 1966 and with a variety of improvements over the years, and evaluation by the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) in 2010 showed that the plant’s life expectancy was becoming uncomfortably short. At that time, DPU made some short-term improvements to keep it running until a new design was in place, funding was obtained and construction of a new plant could be achieved.

The replacement effort officially began in 2014. Los Alamos County was awarded grant/loan funding through the State of New Mexico’s Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund. This program is administered through the Construction Programs Bureau under the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED).

Construction began in March 2022 and the WRRF began treating wastewater in May 2024. The few remaining tasks are targeted for completion by the end of December.

Contractors that helped bring the WRRF to life include Bohannan Huston, RMCI, Aqua and SKM.

The ribbon cutting ceremony and tours of the facility will take place 10 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 6 at the plant at 600 Overlook Road. NMED Secretary James C. Kenney will be the featured speaker at the event. The public is welcome to attend.

View of new Water Resource Reclamation Facility in White Rock. Courtesy/LAC