State Imposes Daily Fine for Animas Valley Water

Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at 2:29 PM

Today’s Emergency Order imposes $1,000 per day penalties for each directive that is not accomplished promptly, by the deadlines set. The Emergency Order requires Harvest Gold to act promptly to execute tasks critical to providing safe drinking water to all 522 customers in San Juan County, including an interconnection with the City of Bloomfield’s water system. Harvest Gold is also required to provide customer notification and communication in an effective and timely manner or daily penalties will also be imposed.

From the NM Environment Department:

Today, the New Mexico Environment Department issued an emergency order penalizing the Animas Valley Land and Water Company, operator of the Harvest Gold Drinking Water System of San Juan County, as a result of their lack of progress in restoring access to safe, clean, and reliable drinking water for users. The Department’s emergency order calls on Harvest Gold to bring their system back into compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act, and imposes $1,000 in penalties on the operators for every day not in compliance.

“All New Mexicans need and deserve access to safe, clean, and reliable drinking water,” said Environment Department Cabinet Secretary Butch Tongate. “Harvest Gold’s continued intransigence in restoring their water system’s Safe Drinking Water Act compliance is unacceptable. The Department will continue to hold Harvest Gold accountable, as well as doing all we can to ensure that the more than 500 users are as informed as possible.”

In addition to today’s emergency order, the Environment Department continues to work to hold Harvest Gold accountable for 15 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act from earlier this summer, for which the system’s operators owe $676,000 in penalties.

New Mexico’s Environment Department continues working in coordination with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, the County of San Juan, and the City of Bloomfield. These organizations have stepped up to help provide both a temporary and a permanent solution to the water issues facing Harvest Gold customers.

More from Local News

Sheriff's Office Investigates Fatal Shooting

Upon arrival, deputies made contact with multiple individuals including juveniles and young adults and located a deceased individual identified as Samuell Tariq Liggins, age 20.
Suspect Arrested in Farmington Murder Case

Following an extensive investigation by Farmington Police Department detectives, an arrest warrant was issued for 40-year-old Matthew Sandoval, who is known to have a family connection to Madrid, who has been charged with 1st Degree Murder and Tampering with Evidence. On March 28, Sandoval was located by U.S. Marshals in the 400 block of W. Animas. Farmington Police officers responded and arrested Sandoval on the outstanding warrant.
Farmington Temple Opens this Summer

Invited guests will tour the temple, the afternoon of July 14, and all day on July 15 and 16, 2025. A public open house will run from July 17 to August 2, 2025, excluding Sundays.
Police: Farmington Child Abuse Suspect Killed in Home

Video

Officers canvassed the area for the suspect; however, investigators believe the individual left the area prior to police arrival. The Farmington Police Department is releasing a video of a person of interest. The video shows a male on a bicycle headed east on Navajo Street towards Lincoln Avenue. The Farmington Police Department urges anyone with information or video surveillance from the area to contact detectives at 505-599-1068.
College Opens new Student Health Center

The $2.2 million Student Health Center spans 2,652 square feet and is designed to provide accessible healthcare services on campus. The center features two exam rooms, three offices for medical and behavioral health professionals, restrooms, storage areas, and additional support spaces.
Farmington Couple Accused of Severe Child Abuse

Reports indicated the child had been locked in a chicken coop for extended periods and exposed to extreme weather conditions. Detectives immediately responded, removed the child from the home, and gathered evidence corroborating the allegations.