The Torrance County Board of County Commissioners will hold a special meeting Monday to consider declaring a disaster over a water system failure that has left the Melody Ranch community without reliable water service since June.
The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. at the county offices at 205 S. Ninth St. and will also be available via Zoom through the county’s website.
The county commission last week approved a $25,000 loan to Bohannon Huston for preliminary engineering work on the water system.
The primary agenda item calls for commissioners to approve a resolution proclaiming a disaster declaration for the Melody Ranch Water System Failure.
The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has been in communication with the county’s emergency manager about the issue, according to Danielle Silva, the department’s director of communications.
“If they do (declare), DHSEM will work with them to fill requests for needs that are identified by the local and county officials,” Silva said in an email Friday. “DHSEM cannot send any resource without a declaration or a request from the emergency manager.”
Silva said the state Environment Department has also been involved in the situation.
The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission began receiving complaints in June that the utility was not supplying water and had failed to communicate with residents about when service would resume. Staff notified the company of its legal obligation to provide reliable service and conducted a site visit that confirmed infrastructure failures.
The problems began in December 2024, when residents first noticed reduced water pressure. By March, water pressure had dropped to approximately half normal levels, and complete water shutoffs began occurring in June.
Melody Ranch Water Company has told state regulators it has spent nearly $20,000 in repairs and upgrades to address the failing water system and has requested financial assistance from the NMPRC.
Mobile water tankers have been intermittently dispatched to the area, though supply remains inadequate for community needs. Bottled water is available from Torrance County Emergency Management at 505-544-4727.
The Albuquerque Water Authority has made regular water deliveries to affected residents, and local businesses, including the County Line feed store, have provided free water to residents.
The water system serves approximately 80 households near Edgewood, located between Edgewood and Moriarty in southeastern Torrance County.
“We recognize how disruptive and distressing this situation is,” said Cholla Khoury, the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission chief of staff. “We are working every day to find a permanent solution for the community and continue to work with other agencies to come up with immediate solutions in the meantime.”
