Magdalena Water Crisis: Drought or Something Else?

MAGDALENA, N.M. - Sept. 24, 2013 - PRLog -- New information indicates that the allegedly drought-triggered water crisis in Magdalena may have had other causes. On June 5, the Village’s only functioning well ran dry. Although national media coverage and the Village government called the event an ‘act of God’ and blamed the lack of water on drought, information has come to light that suggests the water crisis was purely the result of mismanagement and reliance on an insufficient infrastructure. Villagers are invited to a community meeting on September 27, hosted by the Magdalena Area Community Development Corporation (MACDC) to discuss how to rebuild their community—and their infrastructure.

The failure of the well led to harsh restrictions on water use. The recent crisis caused and continues to cause significant harm to residents and businesses in the form of lost revenue, fewer visitors, and a slow economic recovery for the foreseeable future. Numerous Magdalena businesses have permanently shut down. The Old Timer’s Reunion, Magdalena’s largest annual event and a significant source of revenue for businesses, was cancelled.

The community meeting will take place on Friday, Sept. 27^th at the High Country Lodge located at 303 1^st St., Magdalena, NM at 6:00 p.m. All concerned and interested persons are encouraged to attend to discuss the causes of the recent water crisis, the effects on local businesses and residents, the rights and remedies of businesses and citizens of Magdalena who have suffered harm, and preventative measures necessary to ensure Magdalena’s water supply remains intact.

“The ‘crisis’ is not over,” said Lee Scholes, a Director of MACDC. “Property values have dropped and vital businesses have closed. This community meeting will help pave the way for preventing future water crises, ensuring that New Mexico citizens and businesses continue to have access to sufficient amounts of water in the coming decades. The MACDC will work with the Village, other interested organizations, entities and individuals to develop solutions for how water crises are handled and to restore the community to its former prosperity.”

“Water is more and more a pressing concern in the Southwest. Situations like the Magdalena water crisis will become more common if infrastructure and resources are not properly managed,” said Albuquerque Business Law attorney Jeremy Theoret. Theoret is representing the MACDC and other local businesses harmed by the unnecessary crisis. “It is very important that the citizens and business owners of Magdalena understand their rights and responsibilities in the wake of this entirely preventable crisis. This meeting offers all the citizens of Magdalena the opportunity to help determine how to move forward.”

The Magdalena Area Community Development Corporation is dedicated to developing employment, educational, cultural and environmental resources within the Magdalena area for all citizens. The organization’s mission is to improve the quality of life for all citizens in the Magdalena area.