New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has authorized $250,000 in emergency state funding to provide water to residents of Melody Ranch in Torrance County.
Executive Order 2025-373 directs the New Mexico Department of Finance Administration to allocate the funds to the state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for water distribution and quality testing services, according to a news release from the governor’s office. The department is coordinating with the New Mexico Department of Environment on the effort.
The emergency measures follow infrastructure failures that have left the Melody Ranch community without reliable water service since June. Torrance County commissioners unanimously approved a disaster declaration Oct. 27, which allowed the governor to issue the executive order.
The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission reports that the state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has begun transporting water to supplement the utility’s depleted supply tank.
The water problems began in December, 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.
The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission began receiving complaints in June that Melody Ranch Water Company was not supplying water and had failed to communicate with residents about when service would resume. The utility has informed state regulators that it spent nearly $20,000 on repairs and upgrades to address the failing system and has requested financial assistance.
Self-serve and bottled drinking water is available for pickup at County Line Feed, 49 Pony Express Drive, Edgewood, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday until further notice, according to the governor’s office.
The department is also providing potable water through the existing water system to supply home faucets. The system remains under a precautionary boil water advisory issued by the Compliance and Enforcement Division due to ongoing water shortages and low system pressure during limited deliveries.
No contamination has been detected, but the advisory was issued as a preventive measure because low-pressure conditions can allow untreated water or bacteria to enter the system, according to the release. The advisory will remain in effect until pressure stabilizes and water quality is confirmed through routine sampling.
The Public Regulation Commission issued an order ensuring the utility does not charge customers for water supplied by the state, according to the commission. The order also requires Melody Ranch Water Company to track production from its existing well and monitor how much water is delivered by state agencies to its storage tank.
The water system serves approximately 80 households near Edgewood, located between Edgewood and Moriarty in southeastern Torrance County.
Residents have been asked to continue conserving water to extend supplies between deliveries, according to the governor’s office.
