LAS VEGAS, NM — A canal flows directly into Storey Lake, one of northern New Mexico’s recreational destinations.
“It’s bad for our health,” said one longtime resident, who asked not to be named for fear of retribution.”I’m frustrated to see a lot of sewage going like this and letting the clean water come out and mix it up – that creates pollution. So that’s my biggest concern.”
“I immediately determined that this was an imminent threat to human health and the environment,” said Jason Herman, acting program manager for the Pollution Prevention Section of the state’s Department of Environment’s Groundwater Quality Directorate.
“The vast majority of sewage that spills out of there actually seeps into the ground,” Herman said.
KOB 4 wanted to know if the sewage actually flowed from that community to Storey Lake.The store-bought kit showed some bacteria in our canal samples, but not much in our Storrie Lake samples.
“Through the video and our investigation, it does look like a large amount, but in reality, when you compare it to the total volume of Storrie Lake, it’s actually a very small amount,” Hull said. Mann said.”Possibly the amount going into the lake is very small.”
The bigger problem is that a letter sent to the owners of the Country Acres subdivision shows the property’s emissions permit has expired since 2017.
“My concern now is that the problem will be resolved,” said the woman, who asked not to be named.”I don’t want it to be bandaged.”
For now, state officials acknowledge there are only short-term solutions.The pipeline has been patched, but Herman said the leak was caused by a spare pipeline.
KOB 4 called the two men who were notified that their licenses had expired.We messaged David Jones and Frank Gallegos told us he had nothing to do with the property.
However, it turns out he did respond to the state with a corrective action plan, saying he welded the pipes and cleaned the area.
As for any long-term solution, the state said the submitted plan was inadequate.Residents hope the lack of real progress won’t pose another threat to their health or those who come from all over to enjoy the lake.
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