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Residents tell Luna County commissioners wells are running dry; officials weigh options and review hauling rules
Summary
During public comment Mary Mead and others described private wells running dry, monthly hauling of water from Deming, and confusion about a three-year rule for replacing wells. County staff said discussions are underway and cited local well-service options and potential funding.
Mary Mead, a resident who signed up to speak during the public-comment period, told the Board of County Commissioners that private wells across Luna County have been running dry and that affected homeowners are hauling water into town.
"Kind of the issue is today about water, of course, but more specifically about wells and people who have wells that have run out of water and what we can do to facilitate them being able to put new wells, you know, replace their wells," Mead said. She described people hauling "thousand gallons or so" from Deming each month and said she had heard residents were allowed "3 years to dig another well," after which she said ordinance restrictions could prevent continued hauling.
Mead said she had also heard low-income homeowners could obtain a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan at about 1% interest for 20 years and estimated the cost to install a new well could be about $30,000–$35,000.
In response, the chair said county discussion is under way and that staff had contacted local well contractors. "I did talk with the owner of JD Well service, and he said that there there is opportunity for extension of wells because we do have a lot of wells going dry," the chair said, and added that the county needs to review rules about hauling water and the timing of any extensions.
County staff and other speakers clarified that routine filling of residents' water tanks is not a county service. One staff speaker said the county has allowed some people to fill large containers at the courthouse park but that regular tank-filling is a city function and residents should coordinate with city officials for that service.
The chair and staff did not announce a formal policy change or vote. Instead, they described ongoing internal discussions, cited local well-service providers and funding possibilities, and suggested staff and the city might coordinate further on practical options for residents who lack functioning wells. The county also signaled an intent to review hauling and well-replacement rules for clarity.
Next steps: county staff said they are discussing the issue internally and with local providers; no formal direction, motion, or timeline was recorded in the meeting transcript.
