Board insists Gamerco water is safe
Water operator appointed

By Kevin Killough
Staff writer

GALLUP — Gamerco residents might see a rather disconcerting memo around town. “Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard,” the notice begins. It goes on to say that it’s not an emergency, but water customers have a right to know when such things happen.

State and federal regulations require the water authority to test the drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. According to Art Burrola, who is a resident board member of the Gamerco Water and Water Sanitation Board, many of these regulations came after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and are just a precaution against deliberate contamination.

“It’s not that our water is bad. It’s being treated,” said Burrola.

The residents of Gamerco can drink without worry, he said. The water district failed to perform two monthly coliform samples. According to the memo, to prevent this from happening again, John Leever has assumed duties as water operator for Gamerco. On June 28, new samples were taken and the system has returned to compliance.