Some issues many of our fellow New Mexicans find to be in need of legislative action / attention in the area of proper funding for public water systems located in the state of New Mexico

My Fellow New Mexicans, I would like to present to you some issues many of our fellow

New Mexicans find to be in need of legislative action / attention in the area of proper

funding for public water systems located in the state of New Mexico

My Fellow New Mexicans,  I would like to present to you some issues  many of our fellow New Mexicans find to be in need of legislative action / attention in the area of proper funding for public  water systems located in the state of New Mexico

Of the 756 plus  public water systems, (connections of more than 15)  Bluewater Water and Sanitation “BWSD”rates are  50% higher than surrounding Public Water Systems PWS’S after raising rates 300% to position BWSD PWS local funds to be in compliance with funding resources made available by the Agencies charged with ensuring public water systems are in  compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act  “SDWA”that ensures PWS’S meets and complies with  National Primary Drinking Water Regulations “NPDWR”.

BWSD was found to be out of compliance in the areas of Waste Water Treatment Plant Lagoon improperly sealed with recent updated SDWA and NPDWR regulations since built and maximum  contaminant levels of Arsenic 11-12 parts per billion “ppb”  and was advised in 2012 that if BWSD did not come in compliance and meet SDWA and NPDWR regulations 10ppb, BWSD would be in violation and would have to pay out of compliance fees of $1000.00 per day if BWSD did not take corrective actions. 

BWSD took corrective actions and with the Help and Guidance of NMED, NMFA, DWB, Cog, Solivan Engineering Group and New Mexico Legislature, today as of Jan 2018  BWSD is in compliance with SDWA and NPDWR in the area of providing safe clean Drinking water via Arsenic Well treatment plant that feeds BWSD drinking water distribution system.

Even though BWSD Passed its yearly Audit in June 2019 BWSD was found in December 15 2019 Intended use plan to be out of compliance financially and was asked to develop a  plan “increase BWSD rates by even more than 300% or find additional funding” to come back  into compliance to be eligible to NMED/NMFA/ NMCWRF.  It was discovered the sole reason BWSD was out of compliance was due to spending $36,000.00 over budget in three areas. Electricity $10,000, community center $8,000.00 and $18,000.00 in maintenance 

During the time it took to complete BWSD new Well and Arsenic Treatment Plant we have found cost of electricity increase by $10,000.00 and cost of community center increase$8,000.00 as well as maintenance of the sewer and water distribution system and general maintenance increase of $18,000  in these categories as followed and as to my understanding and best relocation. .  New additional sewer air pump and plumbing  “to provide adequate dissolved oxygen levels”and sewer water pump “to evaporate treated water from lagoon, due to BWSD having no other avenue to dispose of treated water due to permitting” as well as heater located at the well house are some new equipment that have significant impact of cost of electricity and the labor cost to install. 2019 presented problems within the sewer distribution system and cost accrued to discover and locate unknown man holes along pinon street, main street, pine street and center street.  Many of these manholes have not been serviced in probably more than  two decades due to negligence and lack of proper maintenance program.  This problem continues and exists  today  as there continues to be additional man holes throughout the district that remain to be discovered, maintained, and manhole lids raised to proper road surface level.  All these actions require funding that at the moment and in the past was and is  nonexistent if BWSD budgets to serve compliance with current funding agencies/organizations and programs.

Therein lays the problem that I hope to change with the help of you and our fellow New Mexicns.  If the public water system program as currently developed/organized/ and maintained at the capacity as seen looking back decades  and with NMED FY2021 cutting 5% of ist .02% of the New Mexico general fund fy2020 of 13.2million  to FY2021 at 12.7million that in effect reduces  its water pollutant test capabilities  to only pass the fees and testing cost onto the public water systems community members that already pay a 3% fee on every water billy they receive monthly for the very test NMED intends to pass cost to PWS”S .

If that does not ruffle your feathers NMED or NMFA have not successfully  serviced the General fund for decades in requesting matching funds from the federal government; funding sources whereas dollar for dollar programs can be utilized whereas small low income, set income even impoverished communities with PWS’S can afford to uphold the rules, laws, regulations even mandates without heavily burdening its communities with 300% rate increases where the average water sewer and trash bill each month is $137.00 and if you have a leaky toilet over a months time  that  could run you $180-$190 ending monthly bill an increase of $50.   If you are so lucky to go on a 4 day vacation or not so lucky and end up in hospital care and for some reason  a water pipe burst running at 20 gallons per minute for 4-5 days at a cost of $1,600.00 due to rates being so high, this could be your  situation if  New Mexico continues status quo.

When a community raises its rates by 300% remember that's 3 times the money.  When services used to cost $46 dollars for water sewer and trash and taxes were applied at 6% of $46.00 you paid $2.76 in taxes to the state.   When raised rates average $137 and apply 6% you pay $8.22 in taxes with a tax increase rate or 12%.  Said community  not only pays more in rates but more in taxes to upgrade their PWS infrastructure  and if we are paying more in taxes it is my belief that those who work in behalf of and for the tax payer should be doing their best to utilize all programs available and invest tax payers dollars  to best  work for  those people they represent

How is that the city of Grants qualifies for 0% interest rates from the NMCWRF due to the changes made to take effect fy2021 for communities that are in need of relief due to population and economic factors.  How is it that nmed choose the city of grants to be qualified for 0% interest as this decision is left solely in the hands of those who are nmed.-[