U.S. Water News Online
SANTA FE -- A luxury subdivision says the city of Santa Fe has mismanaged its water company, failed to acquire more water rights and failed to maintain its water system properly.
Las Campanas said in documents filed in district court that Santa Fe's water shortage this year ``was caused by the negligence and actions of the city.''
The filing was in response to a lawsuit the city brought against Las Campanas on Aug. 29.
The city's lawsuit asks the court to order Las Campanas to follow the city's water-use restrictions in times of drought and contends that the subdivision is due less water from Santa Fe's wells than subdivision officials believe.
In its response, Las Campanas said the city mismanaged the Sangre de Cristo Water Co. by failing to boost the city's water supplies or acquire additional water rights to prepare for drought or future growth.
The city, because of its failure to make necessary improvements to its water system and wells and its failure to buy water rights, has hurt both city residents and Las Campanas water users, the subdivision's response said.
The subdivision also said the city's lawsuit should be dismissed and the two sides should settle their differences before the state Public Regulation Commission.
Las Campanas also asked for damages for economic losses because of the city's mismanagement of the water supply. The response did not specify how much money the subdivision is seeking.
City spokesman Juan Rios said the city had no comment on the response.
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