Carnuel may have lost $1 million for a water pipeline because of a technicality.

Contaminated drinking water due to failed septic systems has been a problem in Carnuel for years, and half the people in Carnuel could have clean tap water if money comes through.

The project has about $4.5 million in funding so far, according to Frank Roth, senior policy manager for the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority.

The current plan is to serve the priority areas low in the canyon, those who live near Interstate 40 and Old Route 66. The pipeline will extend from Albuquerque east, but exactly how far east is unknown, Roth said. He explained that those residing in low-lying areas are the hardest-hit by contaminants, and that contaminants from failed sewers further up the canyon tend to drain downward.

The bulk of the money will likely be used to pay for some of the more expensive infrastructure in the system, namely water tanks, that would lay the groundwork for a more extensive water system later on. Once those big-ticket items are purchased, the rest of the money could be used to lay the pipeline to deliver water to residents. That's where the disputed $1 million would come in, Roth said.

The New Mexico Finance Authority Water Trust Board voted to remove the funding in May because it hadn't received all the information that was required by the October 27, 2008 deadline, Roth said. The decision to withhold the funding is being appealed; the appeal is scheduled to be heard on July 29.

"(We) don't know the next time we'll be able to obtain grant funding from either the federal or the state government," Roth said.

In a letter dated June 9, Bernalillo County Commissioner Michael Brasher urged Gov. Bill Richardson — who signed off on the bill that authorized the funding for the water system, Senate Bill 405 — to intervene in the matter.

"The Carnuel Mutual Domestic (Water and Wastewater Consumers Association) made a good-faith effort to get the information in before the application deadline," he said.

Brasher goes on to say that the problems with getting the materials in on time were associated with database errors and information that was unavailable at the time of the application.

"The appropriated funding for this project is critical in order to create a safe and reliable central public water system for the Carnuel community," he said.

Neither the president of the Cañon de Carnue Land Grant nor officials with the Water Trust Board could be reached.