08/04/2026
: Approximately 45 community members gathered tonight, Monday, August 3, at the Cerro Community Center for a crucial update regarding Cerro’s ongoing water infrastructure challenges.
The meeting was attended by local leadership and representatives, including New Mexico Rural Water Association Circuit Rider Brittany Coriz, Cerro Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association Board President Vilma Bailon, Association Board member Mike Montoya, Board Member Miguel Romero, and Taos County Commissioner Brent Jaramillo.
Cerro is currently under a boil water advisory. Officials expect water test results to be back by Wednesday, at which point an update on the advisory status will be available.
Water was turned back on Friday, July 31, with the goal of filling the community’s 30,000-gallon storage tank by today, August 3. Brittany Coriz explained that getting the storage tank full is a critical step to establish baseline figures for typical daily usage and monitor system performance.
Coriz highlighted a stark discrepancy between water production and actual tank capacity gains, confirming severe underground leaks remain. The system produces 47,520 gallons of water in a 24-hour period. In a community of Cerro's size, standard consumption is about 11,000 gallons per day. With a 30,000-gallon tank, daily production should leave an extra 17,520 gallons beyond standard use, and the tank should gain roughly half its capacity, around 15,000 gallons, every 12 hours. Instead, the tank is only gaining 3,000-6,000 gallons of water in that timeframe, indicating a massive loss.
Compounding the leak issues, Coriz noted long-term groundwater depletion as a major concern for the region's future supply: "When the well was drilled in 2008, the static water level was at 57 feet. Within 18 years, we are down to 88 feet. That means the aquifer has dropped 31 feet."
This doesn’t mean the aquifer lost a specific number of gallons. It means the underground water table has fallen significantly, so the well has to reach much deeper to find water. It’s a sign that groundwater is being depleted over time, making the community’s water supply more vulnerable and with ongoing leaks, increasing the community’s risk of water depletion.
To locate active leaks without shutting down service to the entire community, operators will use Rural Infrastructure Program (RIP) grant funding to test isolated sections, or "legs," of the system for short two-hour windows.
Because official "as-built" maps do not exist for the smaller 2-inch lines or the older 1941 waterlines, which run under private property, corrals, and ditches, operators are relying heavily on resident assistance.
‼️CRUCIAL‼️
Coriz is urging community members to watch for telltale signs of leaks on their properties, including:
-Unusually tall, bright green vegetation
-Unexplained low water pressure
-Visible water pooling or surfacing on the ground
-Dirt or sediment appearing in water lines
Demonstrating strong community support, several volunteers stepped up both during and immediately following the meeting to help locate lines and identify potential leaks.
Residents are strongly encouraged to attend the next Cerro Water Board meeting to stay informed and participate in upcoming leadership decisions. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 27 at 6 p.m. at the Cerro Community Center. Key agenda items will include general system updates and the election of new board members.
