Re: Chama's Municipal Drinking Water Treatment Plant Failed

I worked 39 years with a PUC regulated, investor-owned, water utility in California.

I went looking at a State of New Mexico site about domestic water systems and found the information about Chama. Some of it was a little surprising to me; In one sense with refection, it was not surprising.

This is a small municipality with limited funding and resources. Often, the governing body feels pressure to keep costs to the water users low; this in turn limits the funds available for maintenance and upgrades.

The information about Chama showed that the administrative contact is also the designated operator -- indicating to me that there may be limited oversight and someone who may feel overwhelmed at times.

Undoubtedly, the treatment plant (treats river water) was and is a significant and necessary addition to the system. I do hope that the village finds assistance to repair and expand the treatment plant to allow flexibility to keep it maintained and operating.

Brian Norden