16-05-2025
Jemez Springs prepares for overhaul of sewage collection system after overflow spill
JEMEZ SPRINGS (KRQE) – A northern New Mexico village known for its outdoor recreation had some sewer overflow spill into their river last week- it's the second time this year. 'This system has aged to a point where we're going to have these problems more often,' said Village of Jemez Springs Mayor Mike Nealeigh.
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For outdoor enthusiasts and tourists, Jemez Springs has a lot to offer, including beautiful landscapes, trails, the iconic hot springs, and the Jemez River. But sewage problems continue to trouble the small town of just about 200 people, as they deal with the aftermath of an overflow in their sewage collection lines last week. 'The impacts, you don't want to be fishing in a river that has wastewater fluent in it,' Mayor Nealeigh said. 'We're always concerned about the economic impact, of course, of this issue and forest fires; anything that shuts down the forest or causes people to think twice about coming up and enjoying the recreational opportunities.'
An alert was sent out to residents about the issue, while workers from the village and Jemez Pueblo helped to restore flow in the system. Due to the spill, several recreational sites down river, like campgrounds and fishing access points, were shut down for several days.
Mayor Nealeigh said the problem is due to how 'fragile' the collection system is. A mixture of root damage to the lines, its decades-old age, and having a one-man wastewater team has made it difficult to keep up with ongoing issues. He also said it's been years since it's been regularly maintained. 'That has not been done in probably 20 years,' Mayor Nealeigh explained.
However, the village has taken steps to find a long-term fix. They're preparing to renovate millions of dollars' worth of lines. 'We're working, right now, to clean the manholes, to clear the lines so that the cameras can get in there, see exactly where the problems are; and then the 3 million dollars will be applied to the problems in the order of their urgency,' Mayor Nealeigh added.
The mayor said recreational sites south of town were reopened a few days following the spill, after speaking with the U.S. Forest Service to see if it was safe. The village hopes to begin the renovation process in about six months.
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