As the village of Columbus continues to focus on water-system improvements, the border town will benefit from a $400,000 state allocation given specifically for the project.

The funding, targeted for areas with colonias, is said to leverage an additional $1.2 million for wastewater and water-system improvements. The $400,000 is part of a $5.9 million figure through Gov. Bill Richardson's colonias initiative.

The village is also relying on $895,000 in 2006 Severance Tax Bond funds to target water-system improvements within the village.

One phase will consist of a new well to run 750-1,000 feet deep, and a connection of the new well and existing Guaderrama well to the southeast well for treatment. The village also has a new 400,000-gallon ground reservoir on its wish list, to be located at the current storage tank site. Under STB money, Columbus would fund land acquisition, the drilling of a water-supply well with discharge lines, environmental and archaeological surveys,

          
and the construction and connection of a new storage tank.

Additional work the village hopes to complete includes a new reverse osmosis-treatment system, while being capable of reducing fluoride and arsenic to meet maximum contaminant-level requirements.

It's estimated that Columbus encompasses 700 households — 2,100 residents — which utilize the village's water system.

Richardson created the colonias initiative to provide funding that, in many cases, can be leveraged to match other funding sources. Columbus' neighbor, the Deming, also received $450,000, to aid in construction of a sewer intercept line which will help serve two colonias.