Mt. Taylor Addition
wants water woes fixed

By Helen Davis
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — Homeowners who have experienced standing water in their yards, poisons rising through the earth to kill plants, water damage in their homes and other water-related problems have sought help from the city of Grants over the years hope mediation will now solve their problems.

The homeowners, city representatives and attorneys for several groups are scheduled to meet today to discuss a devastating groundwater situation in Grants.

Representatives of the city of Grants and homeowners plus attorneys for the city and Cibola County expect to take part in mediation over differing perspectives on causes and solutions to the water problem. The mediation was called in an attempt to head off a hearing to review the city’s routine water treatment discharge application and possible lawsuits between local government agencies.

The affected homeowners have asked that the state review the treatment plant before renewing the city’s permit.

Permits for wastewater treatment plants do not ordinarily require hearings for renewal, said attorney Pete Domenici Jr., who represents the homeowners.

He added that the city has not been able to provide solutions to the situation and some studies indicate that the problem may be caused by leakage from ponds at the Coyote De Malpais golf course behind the residential area. Other studies point to outflow from the city of Grants Wastewater Treatment Plant, on George Hanosh

Boulevard. Both facilities cited are under the control of the city of Grants.

Grants City Manager Robert Horacek said the city has looked into the problem and hopes to resolve the situation in the best way possible, but that factors outside the city have contributed to the water accumulation.

A recent hydrological study contracted by the city and performed by John Shomaker and Associates, Inc. indicate that historic drainage from Horace Mesa has been disrupted by new buildings the county constructed on McBride Road. Senior hydrologists Roger Peery and Michael A. Jones presented their findings to the city on May 8, demonstrating on aerial maps changes in flow since the Cibola County Detention Center was built.

Attorney Gail Gottlieb, who represents the city in Mount Taylor Addition water discussions and pending litigation, said the county has been contacted about the mediation meeting and that she has every confidence that the county will become involved in discussing solutions.

So far Cibola County representatives have remained closed mouthed on the subjects of the mediation meeting and the water problem. County Attorney Joe Diaz said late yesterday that an attorney working with the Association of Counties will attend the meeting in Albuquerque in the interest of the county. Diaz explained that County

Manager David Ulibarri and commissioners Elmer Chavez and Tony Gallegos wanted to attend the mediation but he asked them not to, based on advice from private attorney Kevin Brown, who has just received the case and does not have a feel for the issues yet. Brown assists with Association of Counties legal and insurance claims advice.

“It will be a battle of engineers,” one observer observed. Horacek added, “And hydrologists.”