Village of Capitan
Monthly Community Report
Greetings again from the Trustee side of Village government. I want to
take this opportunity to discuss something that needs to be understood
by all residents of Capitan - water! Water is the lifeblood of every
community and how it is managed is a primary concern of Village
government.
Have you ever stopped to consider where the water comes from, in
Capitan? Almost all of the property within the Village is on the
municipal water system. That water comes from two local wells which
pump water to several storage tanks surrounding the community. From
there the water flows through distribution pipes to homes, business,
and other outlets throughout the town. That is a 24 hour per day - 365
days per year operation. If water stops flowing in Capitan everything
else is impacted.
The Village is currently meeting all of its water service demands at a
rate charge that has not seen any change in 10 years. That speaks
volumes to how the Village has managed and maintained the system, a
system that is the best in Lincoln County. However, water systems are
costly and require long term planning and maintenance to ensure that
the wet stuff keeps flowing. New wells additional storage tanks, pipe
replacement, and operational costs are all on the rise and will need to
be funded in the next several years. Water isn't cheap!
In addition to the water service operations, the issue of having enough
water for village growth is of major concern. We have to consider both
water rights as well as actual water availability when we calculate the
overall water system. Will the Village have the water needed to sustain
growth during the next decade? How will regional water management
impact small communities? What conditions should the Village impose on
annexation relative to water supply?
The Board of Trustees has begun to review a new ordinance dealing with
water service in Capitan. The Water Advisory Board has provided
critical input and advice on changes relating to water rates and how
water should be managed. It is now up to the Trustees to make decisions
and institute policies relative to water in the immediate and long-term
period. Your input, as a member of this community is vital to the
decision making process.
Although the Village has a 40 year water study, as required by the
State, it is in need of review and probable revision. Some of the
recommendations made in the existing plan need to be implemented in
order to meet long-term system management goals. Previous boards have
failed to address those recommendations, so this Board is now in the
process of taking a hard look at our entire water system.
So, the next time you get a drink from the faucet, or water your
garden, or take a shower remember that you are making use of a limited
and precious commodity. And recognize that water is a resource that
requires constant management and attention. Your Village government and
water department staff are striving to ensure that you will continue to
have the water you need at the best possible rates possible. Thanks for
your continuing support and participation.
Bill Martin - Village Trustee
1/31/2005
