Angel Fire council issues Level 2 water emergency after Peralta Well falters

The Angel Fire Village Council voted to issue a Level 2 (blue-flag) water emergency under ordinance 7-3-10-c after village staff reported the Peralta Well had fallen to a static level that reduced pump output and made the well unreliable as a main supply.

"We are here today to discuss going into level 2 water restrictions, which is the blue flag," Evan said during a technical briefing to council, describing the well's recent camera inspection and flow measurements. Staff told council the well's static level is approximately 218 feet in a 250-foot hole, the pump is set at 235 feet and flows have fallen from roughly 225 gallons per minute to about 80 GPM after sustained use.

The proclamation directs the village to implement Level 2 conservation measures focused on irrigation limits and other nonessential uses while staff pursues short- and long-term responses. Director Epler told the council the Peralta Well will be used as an emergency backup while the village assesses replacement options. "We're we're gonna need to try to replace this well," Director Epler said.

Council members moved and voted on the proclamation during the meeting; the clerk conducted a roll-call-style vote and the chair announced the motion passed. Staff said the village will push immediate outreach to property managers and visitors and post signage and electronic notices to reduce confusion about the restriction.

The emergency declaration does not, according to staff, indicate an immediate loss of household water service; officials emphasized the conservation measures are intended to preserve tank levels and maintain fire-protection reserves as the village plans drilling and assessment work.