2013 OM Calendar - Indian Health Service

left to right; Lloyd Shutiva, Sharlene Phillips, Dustin Garcia, Arvind Patel.
PuebLO OF aCOMa WaTer
& WaSTeWaTer DeParTMenT
Service Area: Pueblo of Acoma
Geographic Location: West-Central New Mexico
Population Served: 868 Residents
Nominated by: Mike Buck Elk, EIT, Environmental Engineer, Albuquerque Area
The seven person Acoma Water & Wastewater Department operates and manages the
community water/wastewater systems, including the new 75,000 GPD Sequencing Batch
Reactor wastewater treatment plant. The $4.9 million facility was awarded the facility of the
year award in 2011 through the New Mexico Water and Wastewater Association, competing
against both Tribal and Non-Tribal facilities. The new wastewater treatment plant, built in
2009, includes an influent pump station, head works, clarifiers, UV disinfection, storage
pond, sludge drying beds and biosolid storage. The Tribal wastewater system also consists
of four community sewage lagoons, as well as individual wastewater treatment systems.
The Tribal water system consists of five water storage tanks, four community supply wells,
and three pump houses serving a community of 868 residents.
arVInD PaTeL
Position/Title: Acoma Water & Wastewater Director
Responsibilities: Manages community systems and supervises five operators
Years of Service: 5
Arvind began working for the Pueblo of Acoma in 2007. During his time with the Tribe,
Arvind has overseen the completion of the new wastewater treatment plant and several
water system improvement projects funded by the IHS and other funding agencies. He
was instrumental in creating a tribal water/wastewater department and establishing a
dedicated annual appropriated budget strictly for the operation and maintenance of the
public water/wastewater systems. He was appointed director of the water/wastewater
department in 2011 and has worked closely with the IHS to identify additional funding
opportunities for the Tribe. He is continually finding ways to improve the water/wastewater
systems while also pushing to increase his staff capabilities through certifications and
trainings.