CROWNPOINT, N.M. – New Mexico Tech and Navajo Technological University signed an historic Memorandum of Understanding on Tuesday, Sept. 22, to collaborate on a water purification system on the reservation, paving the way for future cooperative projects.

NMT President Dr. Stephen Wells and NTU President Dr. Elmer Guy presided over the signing ceremony on the NTU campus in Crownpoint, along with NTU leaders and students, NMT administrators and scientists, and industry guests.

Wells said this new MOU will provide ample opportunities for professors and students at both institutions to advance water purification technology.

“Not only is this a great achievement for both New Mexico Tech and Navajo Tech, but it’s an honor for the two universities to share their knowledge and share their expertise for the people of the Navajo nation,” NMT President Wells said.

The memorandum specifically addresses a collaborative project to implement water purification technology developed at the Petroleum Recovery Research Center at New Mexico Tech. The N.M. Bureau of Geology at NMT will also be involved in working with NTU.

While the new water filtration technology was developed for deployment in the oilfields, the purification units will help Navajo communities with clean water for human consumption, livestock usage, and agricultural purposes.

NTU President Dr. Elmer Guy said the pandemic has shed new light on the lack of available clean water on the Navajo Reservation and other Native American communities in the Southwest.

“If you have clean water, you’re helping the fight against the virus,” Dr. Guy said. “Also, with the pandemic, there are things we can learn from each other about safety measures.”

Dr. Robert Balch, director of the PRRC, said NMT has partnered with a Farmington company to build the purification units using hollow membrane fibers developed and manufactured in Socorro. NMT will work with NTU to intstall water purification systems in rural communities in New Mexico.

“We have commercial development for a produced-water purification system,” Balch said. “But it can purify water of any type. This does have a joint purpose of approving the technology for domestic use, but it’s also the right thing to do.”

Dr. Guy said the implementation of filtration systems will provide opportunities for NTU students and faculty to learn about water standards, system maintenance, and water chemistry, as well as how to collect, analyze, and test samples. He also sees opportunities for expanded collaborations.

“There are multiple benefits I see here,” Guy said. “We are starting with water, but also I’m sure there will be other opportunities to do other research and seek other grants.”

The ceremony, held in a hogan on the NTU campus, started with a traditional Navajo prayer. NMT President Wells said the project is dear to him because he did summer field work in Crownpoint when he was on the faculty at UNM. The ceremony closed with Dr. Guy presenting a traditional Navajo blanket to Dr. Wells.

– NMT –