The Mariposa and Cabezon membrane bioreactors (MBR) for reclaimed water facilities, which recently won the 2006 Design-Build Excellence Award for best design-build projects under $15 million, are located in fast-growing Rio Rancho, New Mexico. CDM helped expand the city of Rio Rancho's water reuse capability by designing and constructing the pair of MBR water reclamation facilities in two separate residential subdivisions. Performed entirely by CDM under two separate design-build contracts, these plants are the first significant treatment facilities in New Mexico employing the relatively new MBR-based technology. Effluent from both plants will initially be discharged to percolation basins, but near-term plans include non-potable reuse on proposed parks and open space.
Eventually, reverse osmosis treatment will be added to both plants so effluent can be injected directly into the groundwater supply aquifer to support an indirect potable reuse program for this arid region. These two plants will also reduce future potential volume on Rio Rancho's existing treatment facilities, which are expected to see substantial increased flows due to the rapid growth in the area.
The $6.1 million Mariposa reclamation facility is situated an on 6,500-acre upscale rural development that will ultimately house 6,850 units. The $7.4 million Cabezon reclamation facility will accommodate 2,830 single family homes on a 900-acre footprint within Rio Rancho. By simultaneously implementing both facilities, developers received discounted equipment due to double orders and reaped other cost sharing benefits. The design-build method also reduced design and inspection costs, and shortened construction time, with many functions conducted in parallel.