Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap: Community Engagement Efforts in Chaparral, New Mexico
The Ask: Chaparral is a fast-growing, unincorporated community split between Doña Ana County and Otero County. The community is experiencing increased home density and economic growth which is now stressing existing wastewater infrastructure. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sought MDB’s community engagement and decentralized wastewater expertise to help Chaparral address its wastewater challenges.
The Solution: MDB supported EPA in providing technical assistance, including community engagement, development of wastewater solutions, and identification of funding opportunities. MDB decentralized wastewater and community engagement specialists developed community engagement materials and conducted multiple site visits to work with community stakeholders towards a solution.
Notable Outcomes: MDB developed an educational brochure, in English and Spanish to promote septic maintenance best practices and the benefits of a working septic system. Additionally, MDB was part of a team that brought together representatives from Doña Ana and Otero Counties and initiated a process toward an intergovernmental agreement.
