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The City of Española’s Tank #2 experienced a major leak in the floor of the tank on July 13. The tank is a 1 million gallon tank located on Industrial Park Road, and the water stored was lost over the course of about 2 ½ hours. City crews were out until about midnight to ensure the safety of the area and to clean streets as water washed mud and rocks into the street.
This morning, Mayor Maestas, City Manager Veronica Albin and staff met to determine a plan of action. Public Works Director Ben Ortega and Water Services Director Marvin Martinez will meet with the New Mexico Drinking Water Bureau to request permission to bypass the tank and provide domestic use and fire protection to the Industrial Park Road users directly from Well 3. This well produces arsenic, at a level of 14 ppb, which exceeds the allowable standard of 10 ppb. The water from well 3 will be used strictly for the Industrial Park Road area and will not be introduced further into the system. Well 2 has been taken off line; this well produces the largest portion of the city’s water supply.
Because of this, the Governing Body will be holding an emergency meeting on June 15, 2009 at 12:00 noon at City Hall Council Chambers in order to declare a State 4 Water Conservation level. This will prohibit the use of potable municipal water for outdoor irrigation, washing of automobiles, washing of parking lots, refilling of swimming pools, spas and ponds, and use of water for construction purposes. It will also restrict the amount of potable water for commercial Laundromats and Car Washes.
The Governing Body will also be reviewing recommendations from staff for the immediate rehabilitation or replacement of the tank. Resource: Stage 4 Water Conservation [pdf]
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