By Rodd Cayton, City Desk ABQ
Help could be on the way for residents of the Carñuel area.
Bernalillo County Commissioners Tuesday approved an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) that will bring about a study of the groundwater around Carnuel.
Commissioner Eric Olivas said after the meeting that anecdotal reports from residents of the area contain tales of blue babies and water that sickens those who drink it.
He said an accurate and current picture of the water situation in the community is key to securing financial aid to address the problem.
Residents of Carñuel, just beyond Albuquerque’s eastern limits, near I-40, use wells for drinking water and septic systems for wastewater. County officials say an increasing amount of nutrients has been observed in Tijeras Creek, which runs parallel to the freeway near Carnuel.
The $490,000 cost of the survey comes from a $245,000 grant from the New Mexico Environment Department and a matching in-kind contribution from the USGS.
Olivas, who represents Carnuel, said identifying the contaminants that are in the groundwater and which parts of the area are most impacted will help the county plan for addressing the issues with infrastructure improvements.
He said county leaders are preparing an application to the New Mexico Water Trust Board that would help provide some solutions.
The Water Trust Board makes funding recommendations to the state Legislature aimed at improving local water infrastructure. The board typically supports local agencies with grants and loans.
Olivas said a recent change to trust board policy means entities may include wastewater system improvements in their applications. In Carnuel, he said, those could be effective, though his priority is to fix residents’ drinking water first.
“It’s just a really special community,” Olivas said before making a motion to approve the study. These … folks in our county are dealing with such degraded water quality, not having access to high-quality water and sewer service. We’re working on that through this commission, through public works and through the (Albuquerque Bernalillo County) Water Utility Authority.”