Estancia, a small town in New Mexico, is grappling with a severe water crisis as its wells run dry, primarily due to prolonged drought. On Friday, Estancia declared a water emergency, prompting officials to reduce water sales to the Torrance County Detention Facility (TCDF), its largest commercial customer.
The TCDF, operated by the private contractor CoreCivic, has resorted to trucking in water to meet its needs amid the ongoing crisis. Estancia Mayor Runnel Riley has taken a leave of absence, and the town's Board of Trustees expressed a vote of "no confidence" in his leadership during a recent meeting.
Water Emergency Declared in Estancia
Estancia, home to about 1,400 residents, declared a water emergency last week as its wells could not produce sufficient water. The town is currently hauling in water to refill its pipes. The situation has led to significant public frustration, with many residents attending a Board of Trustees meeting to voice their concerns.
State officials have allocated funding to drill a new well, with a 30-day bidding process set to open this month. Despite the urgency, town officials have not disclosed how much of Estancia's water supply is allocated to the detention facility.
Response from CoreCivic
Ryan Gustin, CoreCivic's senior public affairs director, stated that the detention facility has implemented contingency plans in response to the water emergency. He assured that drinking water remains available in housing units, and additional bottled water has been provided to detainees.
Gustin emphasized that the water emergency has not disrupted operations at TCDF. He said, “Drinking water is always available within our housing units and bottled water has been provided in addition to the readily available drinking water containers.”
Long-term Water Supply Issues
This is not the first time Estancia has faced a water shortage. Last year, the town urged residents to conserve water due to inadequate well production. Overpumping has significantly lowered the groundwater levels in the Estancia Basin aquifer, which the town relies on.
The New Mexico Office of the State Engineer has closed the Estancia Basin to new water rights, predicting continued groundwater decline if current water rights remain in use. Severe drought conditions across New Mexico, including Torrance County, are exacerbated by climate change impacts.
- 116,700 gallons of water delivered to Estancia as of Saturday.
- Up to 800 people can be detained at the TCDF.
- More than 80% of the town's water is allocated to commercial customers.
During the meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Albert Lovato acknowledged the challenges in providing timely information about the town's water supply, particularly due to fluctuating detainee populations at the facility. The TCDF has faced past complaints regarding unsanitary conditions, including water issues.
As the town of Estancia navigates this crisis, state officials are coordinating emergency responses to ensure that residents and the detention facility have access to necessary water supplies.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by Grist. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
