U.S. Water News Online
LAS VEGAS, N.M. -- Las Vegas city councilors have approved a resolution restricting water for development projects -- essentially freezing new development in the northern New Mexico community.
Without relief, Las Vegas will be out of water by September, City Attorney Matt Sandoval said.
"The obligation of the city is to provide water to its current customers," he told the council before the 6-1 vote. "We're talking about emergency measures."
Las Vegas has 128 days of water left, utilities director Richard Trujillo said.
The city can no longer depend on the Gallinas River and must find other sources of water, he said. He wants to drill a new well, rehabilitate two others and buy water from a rancher north of Las Vegas who is willing to sell.
The resolution, considered temporary, prohibits zoning changes, variances, special use permits or plat approvals and building permit zoning clearances that require water or increased consumption. It contains a provision to request an exemption.
The council gave City Manager John Avila responsibility for administering the plan.
Councilman Louie Trujillo expressed concern about developments already in the pipeline.
"There are people who have already secured funding, are ready to build, and have to start paying that loan and we have to tell them, 'Sorry, but you can't do business,"' he said.
The utilities director responded, "We are in an emergency. We don't have the water today to meet the needs of present water users. That's what we have to come to grips with.
"I could lie to you and say, 'Bring them in, let's build.' That's why we have to continue looking at this whole issue, and I'm glad we have a water board. I'm glad the mayor and council have made water a priority because, without coming to grips with that, we have a problem. It will never be solved."
Avila said the resolution affords the city a little more protection.
"If there wasn't an emergency we wouldn't have to make these decisions," he said. "We could say we reject that responsibility and say, 'Come in and build, use all the water you want.' And when they turn on the tap there won't be any water."
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