JUB may push for metering of valley wells and irrigation ditches

• The state engineer could be asked to study valley metering

The time may be right to push for metering of wells and irrigation ditches in the valley east of Ruidoso Downs, members of the Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant’s Joint Use governing board said recently.

A roomful of landowners from that area showed up at meeting last month on a statistical analysis of temperatures in the Rio Ruidoso. The study concluded river segments that are flatter, warmer and more exposed probably cannot support cold water aquatic life. But instead of discussing the findings, the attendees spent their time at the hearing berating the $32 million new treatment plant and criticized the village for degrading the water quality of the river. The plant that serves Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs and portions of the Mescalero Apache Reservation discharges into the river.

During a Joint Use Board meeting last week, Ruidoso Mayor and JUB Chairman Tom Battin said some of that criticism may have applied to the old plant 30 years ago, but the new model in place for more than six years is turning out water that meets incredibly high standards for sediment, nitrogen, phosphorous and other potential contaminants.

He would like to create a committee with representatives from the valley to give them a better understanding of current conditions and to address complaints that relate to present time, not previous decades, he said.

“But it’s difficult to identify three people who will approach the problem unemotionally and still represent the valley,” he said. “Hondo is not a municipality, who do you know who speaks for them.”

Ruidoso Councilor and JUB member Lynn Crawford wasn’t feeling as conciliatory. The village has tried to play nice guy, to follow the rules and embark on expensive projects to ensure river water quality continues to improve, but all the village receives in return is more criticism and opposition, he said.

“None of them meter their water, and talk about fertilizer (contaminating the river),” he said. “I’m tired of getting kicked in the teeth. I think it is time to turn the tables on them and talk to the state about (applying) the same rules to them.

“The State Engineer says he doesn’t have the money to install all those meters (on wells and irrigation ditches called acequias) down there. Did (the OSE) pay for any of our? So I think we start pushing back on those things and make them comply with the rules they are trying to enforce on us. We are following the rules and we are the only ones doing it.”

Misinformation is being spread contending the village is trying to put contaminants back in the river, he said.

“We need to keep speaking the facts instead of rolling over and paying more money. We should start pushing back so they know what it is going to cost them. I think they way overuse,” Crawford said.

Village water accounting and conservation specialist Eric Boyda said one of the issues with the state is that an estimated two additional staff members would be needed to provide oversight if meters were installed.

“Why don’t they have to turn in reports and be held to same standards as the village?” Crawford asked. “We’re citizens too.”

“I agree the entire basin should be metered, because we can’t make sound decisions without appropriate metering,” Boyda said.

“It’s up to us to force the issue of accountability,” Crawford. “I see cows standing in river pooping just a few miles down the river. Clean up your own stuff.”

Councilor and JUB member John Cornelius said valley residents cite a study contending fertilizer, hundreds of septic systems and cows in the river don’t affect the water quality.

“I said how come my septic tank affects the quality and yours doesn’t?” he said.

The Hondo Basin is unique in that there are many small acequias, Boyda said.

“Acequias elsewhere in state have functioning governmental bodies and fees that support staff,” he said. “In the valley, farming is usually in addition to working another full-time or part-time job.”

Battin said the JUB has no jurisdiction over the irrigation ditches. “All we can do is make recommendations,” he said.

But Ruidoso Downs City attorney H. John Underwood suggested the JUB could push for passage of a resolution in the state legislature in January about the issue, and directing the OSE to study metering the basin.

Cornelius said with no municipality to help obtain grants to offset costs, a ditch association possibly could be set up, or perhaps the Lincoln County Commission could help and act as fiscal agent.

Battin said several options seem worth exploring.