Socorro council rezones South Nevarez property to agricultural, approves one-year conditional permit for pilot desalination project

The City of Socorro City Council on Oct. 16 approved rezoning 232 South Nevarez from R‑1 (single‑family residential) to A‑1 (agricultural) and granted a conditional use permit to allow a pilot, small‑scale water desalination system on the 2.33‑acre site.

The change was requested by property owner Ralph Loya and proposed by Harmony Desalting (representative Quantum Wei). City staff recommended approval of the rezoning and the conditional use permit; the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended the rezoning but declined the conditional use permit at its hearing. City Council approved both actions at second reading after public comment and discussion.

Why it matters: supporters said the system could let local farmers irrigate land that is otherwise too saline; opponents warned the pilot could pose environmental risks, including impacts on neighborhood wells and concerns about disposal of concentrated brine. Quantum Wei told the council…