By Connor Currier
As residents face dry wells and rising rates the town seeks solutions. With domestic wells across the East Mountains continue to fail at an alarming rate, the Town of Edgewood will address mounting water challenges at its regular commission meeting Tuesday evening.
The 6 p.m. meeting at Town Hall (171A State Road 344) features a packed agenda, but the water crisis looms large over discussions about new advisory committees and infrastructure planning.
From Placitas through Tijeras and up to Edgewood, residents across the Sandia Basin are watching their wells run dry as chronic groundwater drawdown takes its toll. Bernalillo County water levels in the East Mountains are declining at approximately 1.8 feet per year, a troubling rate that threatens the long-term reliability of private wells throughout the area.
The data paints a stark picture for a community already grappling with drought conditions and limited water resources. USGS water data shows the broader pattern of declining groundwater levels across the region.Adding financial pressure to the crisis, Edgewood’s water utility EPCOR is planning to request new rate increases from the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, citing financial strain on the aging system.
EPCOR is preparing to request additional rate increases from the state, citing financial pressure on its water system. Due to New Mexico state laws and EPCOR’s status as a privately owned utility, residents have little direct influence over rate-setting decisions.
In June, Edgewood passed a Water Utility Ordinance aimed at building long-term water security by acquiring water rights and qualifying for infrastructure funding. While the ordinance doesn’t directly affect current billing or service, it represents the town’s attempt to gain more control over its water future. The measure acknowledges mounting pressures on local water infrastructure and the community’s vulnerability to both natural drought conditions and utility management decisions.
Advisory Committees Proposed
Tuesday’s meeting will consider establishing two new technical advisory committees designed to improve infrastructure planning and oversight:
- Solid Waste Technical Advisory Committee — focused on waste management infrastructure
- Water Utility Technical Advisory Committee — aimed at addressing water system challenges
This water crisis is part of a much broader problem the state faces. Statewide drought conditions have compounded the issue. Over 70% of New Mexico remains under moderate to extreme drought, based on the U.S. Drought Monitor. With rainfall patterns becoming more erratic and snowpack less reliable, communities that depend on shallow wells face increasing uncertainty.
New Mexico has recently pledged a 50-year plan to combat the state’s water scarcity. According to local water experts, there are “projections of 25% less water available in 50 years.”
