This page provides an overview of our efforts across Natural Gas, Water, and Wastewater Operations. Each section below details how we manage these critical infrastructures to meet the needs of our community while upholding the highest standards of safety and environmental responsibility. Learn how our teams work around the clock to monitor, maintain, and improve these essential services, ensuring reliability and quality for all our residents.
Responsibilities
Natural Gas Operations & Maintenance provides a safe, reliable supply of natural gas to the citizens of Las Cruces. We operate and manage a system consisting of more than 1,000 miles of gas mains and service lines, while providing service to approximately 40,000 combined residential, commercial and industrial meter connections.
The Natural Gas Line of Business is divided into five programs.
1. Construction & Maintenance
- Duties: Responsible for maintaining the integrity of the system through rehabilitation programs and new construction projects. This sub-section installs gas lines, builds regulator stations, and performs gas line repairs.
2. Corrosion Control
- Duties: Carries out a corrosion control program to protect our metallic pipelines from external, internal and atmospheric corrosion; in addition, they replace and repair corroded sections of pipe as necessary.
Corrosion Control also monitors underground and above ground gas lines and components by conducting leak surveys (the method used to detect the slightest presence of natural gas).
3. Operations and Compliance
- Duties: Responsible for keeping the Gas Section in compliance with all regulatory requirements by providing training and certification for Gas Section employees, and overseeing gas system utilities inspections.
4. Pressure & Service
- Duties: Manages and controls the pressures in the system which range from 837 psig in the transmission lines to 0.25 psig at the residential meter. This sub-section also installs gas meters, monitors and controls gas odorant levels, and responds to gas leak and carbon monoxide calls.
Duties
The Las Cruces Utilities Water Section produces approximately 6.5 billion gallons of clean, safe drinking water annually. The City’s water system pumps its water from two deep aquifers; the Mesilla and Jornada Bolsons.
Water Main Break
If you suspect a water main break, please notify the Las Cruces Utilities Dispatch at 575-526-0500.
Maintenance
This section maintains:
- 10 booster stations
- 13 storage tanks
- 30 regulating valves
- 30 wells
- More than 600 miles of underground water lines
In addition, the City of Las Cruces acquired the Jornada Water System. It provides over 670 million gallons per year to customers and consists of:
- 12 storage tanks
- 14 wells
- 4 regulating valves
- 8 booster stations
- More than 90 miles of underground water lines
Duties
The Las Cruces Utilities Wastewater Section maintains approximately 533 miles of sewer lines and 17 lift stations. The Jacob A. Hands Wastewater Treatment Facility treats approximately 3.3 billion gallons of sewage per year. After successful separation of solids, the treated and disinfected wastewater (effluent) is safely discharged into the Rio Grande.
East Mesa Reclamation Plant
In 2010, the new 1 million gallon per day East Mesa Reclamation Plant became operational. Through advanced treatment processes, the Reclamation Plant cleans and purifies wastewater to meet or exceed water quality standards for “purple pipe” irrigation of nearby parks, a golf course, and a local high school.
Composting Process
Utility wastewater facilities have implemented a very successful composting process converting sewage sludge to high-quality beneficial Class “A” compost, available free to the public and area farmers.
The JHWWTF compost meets or exceeds all EPA Class ‘A’ requirements for safe handling and food crop applications. It may initially retain a slightly pungent natural odor from the composting bacteria. This will dissipate as the compost is soaked-in or blended and watered into the receiving soil. Utilization of compost will increase plant growth and health while conserving water at the root zone. Please help us continue providing this first-class product for your use by following these guidelines:
- Prepare site for application prior to pickup. This product should NOT be stockpiled, as the material may be wind-driven beyond the boundaries of your property.
- Apply in the area to be covered, spreading the compost no greater than ½ inch (one half inch) depth. If handling large amounts, the use of a dust mask is suggested.
- If applying to existing lawn or landscape, soak freshly spread compost with water. Continue soaking over the course of the next three days. If amending or developing a new site, larger amounts may be blended or backfilled into the existing soils, then watered or mulched over.
- Please contact Water Conservation at 575-528-3549 to request a variance of your watering schedule.If you should have any questions about the product or the composting process, please call us at 575-528-3597.
How’s It Made?
Waste or sludge from the Jacob Hands Waste Water Treatment Facility is put on a belt press to de-water. Sludge comes off the belt press at an average of 20% solid. The 20% sludge solids are then trucked away to the West Mesa Composting Facility, a 5-acre concrete pad is used to begin the drying process. Once windrowed the compost pile starts to heat up from biological activity. At this point we begin daily temperature monitoring to ensure proper heat build-up within the pile. After three days of 55 ˚C (131 ˚F) readings or higher the pile is turned and mixed. This process is repeated for a total of five turns. The last step in the composting process is sampling. Samples are tested for total solids and fecal coliforms in the City of Las Cruces Water Quality Lab. Once the lab results are completed with positive results (EPA 503 Regulations) the compost is then ready for distribution. In addition to the internal testing done at the Water Quality Lab, compost is also sent out for independent testing every two months for metals nutrients and organic matter as well as percent moisture and pH. Biannual testing is also tested for Helminth Ova, Enteric Virus, and Salmonella.
Where to get it?
Class “A” Compost is available at two sites in Las Cruces free of charge:
JHWWTF 2851 W Amador, 88007
HOURS: Monday– Friday 8:00AM-2:30PM
• Offers compost in buckets
• Only 5 gallon buckets can be filled.
• Buckets are available on a first come, first serve basis.
• Up to 5 five gallon buckets per customer per trip.
• BUCKETS LARGER OR SMALLER THAN 5 GALLONS WILL NOT BE FILLED
West Mesa Site
1000 S Crawford Rd, 88007
HOURS : Monday-Friday 8:00AM to 1:30 PM
• Offers compost by the truckload
• You must call ahead to 575-528-3597 to ensure that an operator is available to load your truck.
• You must have a tarp to cover the truck bed. The operator will not load the compost unless you have a tarp.
• Take I-10W towards Deming
• Take Exit 132, Las Cruces Airport
• Turn left at STOP onto Crawford Blvd
• Crawford Blvd will turn into a dirt road
Call 575-528-3597 or click link for more information.
Report an Issue
If you suspect a sewer problem, please notify the Las Cruces Utilities Dispatch at 575-526-0500
FAQs
- Who is responsible for clearing/repairing sewage lines when they are blocked or damaged?
- Wastewater Collections Systems subsection of Utilities is responsible for maintaining the main sewer pipeline, which is the major artery that carries wastewater from homes and businesses to the wastewater treatment plant. Las Cruces Utilities is responsible for service lines between the sewer collection main to the clean-out on private property if the clean-out is located within 10 feet of the property line. If there are no clean-outs or the clean-out is located more than 10 feet inside the property, the sewer service line is the property owner’s responsibility.
- I need to find the clean-out to my home. What is this and where do I find it?
- Clean-outs are pipes fitted with a closed cap, which provide access to your sewer service drainage pipes so they can be cleaned or inspected for damage or blockage. They are located near the front of the home or on the side. Not all homes have clean-outs. If you cannot locate them yourself, your plumber can help.
- Are clean-outs the same as stub-outs?
- No, stub-outs are pipes between the main sewer line and the private property line. Your plumber will connect your home’s sewer service line to the City’s stub-out.
