BOSQUE FARMS — Cleanup is underway from a sewage spill at the village of Bosque Farms wastewater treatment plant that occurred on Monday, Jan. 29.
Bosque Farms Mayor Wayne Ake released a statement regarding the spill. He wrote the village is investigating the spill’s cause; however, they believe the spill was contained within the village’s property boundaries and that it did not affect the ditch located behind the plant.
Jesse Jones | News-Bulletin photos
The aging wastewater clarifier at the Village of Bosque Farms wastewater treatment plant.
In a social media post by Bosque Farms Village Councilor Erica DeSmet, she wrote the spill was caused by a lift pump station failure.
The public works employees of the Pueblo of Isleta have been sent to assist the village in resolving the spill. These employees are certified in wastewater management. Additionally, the village is working with certified representatives of the New Mexico Rural Water Association to mitigate the spill. They will ensure the necessary reporting, clean-up and repairs to the plant are completed.
According to DeSmet’s post, photos currently circulating on social media depict workers cleaning up the sludge. The head of the Bosque Farms’ water department was put on administrative leave prior to the incident, which resulted in the plant being temporarily without a lead.
The village has also sent water samples in for testing and is awaiting the results.
The statement from Mayor Ake says, “The Village regrets that this spill occurred, but I am committed to two goals: fully remediating this spill and to keeping all of you informed of the events surrounding this unfortunate spill. As we move forward with this incident and get further details, we will let the community know as soon as additional information is available.”
Jesse Jones lives in Albuquerque with his wife and son. Jesse graduated from of the University of New Mexico twice. This spring, he graduated with a degree in multimedia journalism and, in 2006, he received a bachelor’s degree in university studies with an emphasis in photojournalism. He is a current fellow of the New Mexico Local News Fund.
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April 25, 2024
