Cloudcroft Approves Up to $800,000 for Wastewater Plant Fix
Published 28 October 2026
Cloudcroft's village trustees voted unanimously on October 13, 2026, to spend up to $800,000 from the general fund to replace the worn out filter membranes at the village wastewater plant and rebuild the basin they sit in. The fix is a stopgap to keep the plant running while the village looks for funding for a new plant, which engineers estimate at $15 million to $17 million. The new membranes are expected to arrive and be installed around August or September 2027.
If you own a home in Cloudcroft or are thinking about buying one, this is worth understanding, because water and sewer are the backbone of any town.
What did Cloudcroft approve?
According to the Cloudcroft Reader's report on the vote, Trustees John Snook, Keith Hamilton, Matt Willett and Danny Hardwick approved up to $800,000 to buy four new membrane cassettes and rebuild the basin. The membranes do the plant's most important filtering, and they are wearing out.
Public Works Supervisor J.J. Carrizal told trustees the plant had been patched and put off for years. Mayor Dusty Wiley called the new membranes the first step toward making sure the village is secure.
How much will the fix cost?
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Four membrane cassettes (two sets bought together) | $346,435 |
| Basin work (concrete, piping, valves, new liner) | About $200,000 |
| Cassettes plus basin | About $546,000 |
| Mayor's expected total | At least $600,000 |
| Most the trustees approved | $800,000 |
Buying both sets at once saves the village more than $60,000 compared with buying them separately. The Reader reports the price of one set rose about 34% between 2023 and 2026. No grant covers this project, so it comes from the general fund, with about 30% of the cassette price due when the order is placed and the rest due on delivery.
Why does the plant need work now?
The membranes are rated for about 10 years, and the membrane system was installed in 2017. The Reader reports that nitrogen readings are rising as the membranes wear, and that a state draft permit would cap nitrogen at 10 milligrams per liter. An older trickling filter, more than 65 years old, still handles about half the flow.
Once the village signs its discharge permit with the state, the mayor said it is expected to require a new plant within five years.
What happens next?
| When | What is planned |
|---|---|
| Coming weeks | Village orders the cassettes from Veolia and bids out the basin work |
| End of October 2026 | Backup generator and an engineering report are due |
| November 2026 | Mayor plans to ask trustees to start raising the gross receipts tax |
| December 2026 | Purchase of the Forest Service land under the plant is expected to close |
| January 2027 | Trustees plan to lobby in Santa Fe for wastewater funding |
| About August to September 2027 | Cassettes arrive and are installed |
The mayor told the Reader the gross receipts tax increase would bring Cloudcroft in line with Alamogordo, Ruidoso and other nearby towns and would fall mostly on visitors. He said there has been no discussion of a property tax increase, and he plans to adjust water and trash rates each year by the rate of inflation, with trustee approval.
What does this mean for Cloudcroft homeowners and buyers?
For homeowners, the big takeaway is that the village is investing to keep the system working, and that small yearly utility rate adjustments and a possible gross receipts tax change are on the table. For buyers, it is a good reminder to ask whether a home is on village sewer or a septic system, and to check current utility rates with the village before you budget. My neighborhoods guide compares Cloudcroft with Alamogordo and other nearby towns.
There is good news on the mountain too. Holloman volunteers are back with a snow shoveling program for Cloudcroft seniors this winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Cloudcroft approve for its wastewater plant?
Trustees approved up to $800,000 from the general fund on October 13, 2026. The mayor expects the project to cost at least $600,000, depending on bids for the basin work.
What is Cloudcroft buying for the wastewater plant?
The village is buying four new membrane cassettes and rebuilding the basin that holds them. The membranes do the plant's most important filtering and are wearing out.
When will the new wastewater membranes be installed?
The cassettes take about eight to nine months to make. They are expected to arrive and be installed around August or September 2027.
How much would a new Cloudcroft wastewater plant cost?
Engineers estimate a new package plant at $15 million to $17 million. The mayor has said it could cost as much as $20 million.
Will Cloudcroft raise taxes to pay for wastewater?
The mayor plans to ask trustees in November to start raising the gross receipts tax. He said there has been no discussion of a property tax increase.
Details come from the Cloudcroft Reader's October 14, 2026 report on the Village of Cloudcroft trustees meeting, checked 28 October 2026. Contact the village office at (575) 682-2411 for official information.