Boil Water Advisory Continues for Customers of

Morningstar and Harvest Gold Water

Water Still Not Safe:  Continue Boiling Water Prior to Usage

 
Santa Fe –Officials at the New Mexico Environment Department’s Drinking Water Bureau remind Morningstar and Harvest Gold water customers that the “Boil Water Advisories” for these two Farmington-based public water systems remain in effect.  The two water systems are owned and managed by Animas Valley Land and Water Company (“AV Water”) and together serve 6,945 New Mexicans. 

Although water service was restored to Morningstar’s full customer base last week, the Boil Water Advisories issued June 3 for Morningstar and Harvest Gold customers remain in effect to protect public health.

The Environment Department issued the advisories, on behalf of AV Water, following detection of high turbidity levels.  Elevated turbidity (or cloudiness) can indicate the presence of E. coli in water and that the water may have been in contact with sewage or animal wastes, and could contain disease-causing organisms. Most strains of E. coli are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals. However, a positive test for E. coli in the drinking water supply may indicate the presence of dangerous strains of E. coli or other disease-causing organisms. These types of organisms may cause severe gastrointestinal illness and, in rare cases, death. Children, the elderly and immuno-compromised individuals are at an increased risk for illness. 

Since issuance of the Boil Water Advisories, Environment’s Drinking Water Bureau scientists and regulators have been maintaining close oversight of AV Water and have been working with the City of Farmington to create the resolution that will bring the system back into compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act—enabling safe drinking water service to resume. Until that time, the Boil Water Advisory remains in effect.

Consumers are advised to boil the water for five minutes before drinking, cooking, dishwashing and bathing.

For more information, contact AV Water at 505-325-2435 or Joe Martinez of the NMED Drinking Water Bureau at 505-476-8635 or joe.martinez@state.nm.us.

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