By Elizabeth Miller, New Mexico In Depth |
May 11, 2021
Marjorie Childress/New Mexico In Depth
People from throughout the region come into Gallup to haul water from the town’s water loading station. In July and August, about 2 million gallons are dispensed through the system.
Early this year, five of Gallup, New Mexico’s 16 water wells stopped producing water, including two of its biggest. After a few days of maintenance, two worked. The other three were out of commission for more than a month. Had it happened in summer, the city might have asked residents to dramatically reduce use.
“I’m not in crisis mode,” said Dennis Romero, Water and Sanitation Director for the City of Gallup, but “it could go to crisis mode very quickly.”
Navajo-Gallup water delay spurs problem solving in arid Southwest
People from throughout the region come into Gallup to haul water from the town’s water loading station. In July and August, about 2 million gallons are dispensed through the system. Photo: Marjorie Childress
This piece is part of a collaboration that includes the Institute for Nonprofit News, California Health Report, Center for Collaborative Investigative Journalism, Circle of Blue, Columbia Insight, Ensia, High Country News, New Mexico In Depth and SJV Water. It was made possible by a grant from The Water Desk, with support from Ensia and INN’s Amplify News Project.