(LAS VEGAS) — The city of Las Vegas has declared an emergency over its water supply after the Calf Canyon-Hermits Peak Fire, the largest wildfire in New Mexico history, contaminated the Gallinas River. The city relies solely on water from the river, which has been tainted with large amounts of fire-related debris and ash, according to city officials.
The city is currently relying on reservoirs which, at the current consumption rate, contain less than 50 days worth of stored water, according to Las Vegas Mayor Louie Trujillo.
The large amounts of ash and turbidity in the river have prevented the city from being able to pull water from it, as the city’s municipal water treatment facility is not able to treat water, according to the mayor.
The Hermit’s Peak Fire and Calf Canyon Fire merged on April 27. By May 2, the blaze had grown in size and caused evacuations in multiple villages and communities in San Miguel County and Mora County.
President Joe Biden issued a major disaster declarations for the New Mexico counties of Colfax, Mora and San Miguel on May 4.
The fire resulted in the loss of federal, state, local, tribal and private property including thousands of acres of the watershed for the Gallinas River, the primary source of municipal water for the city and surrounding areas, according to the emergency declaration.
The Gallinas River has resulted in thousands of acres of scorched forest, flooding, ash and fire debris.
HUH? "the city's municipal water treatment facility is not able to treat water, according to the mayor"...wonder what they do there at this facility, if not able to treat water?
Do you feel comfortable drinking your own cities water straight out of the tap? 🧐
Their treatment plant cannot handle the high turbidity of the water. The suspended solids in the water will clog the filters immediately thereby shutting down the treatment process. They will have to wait until the turbidity in the water drops to the levels the treatment plant can handle. It will take a few days or a week, but then they should be back in business. The reservoir has a 50 day supply.