Las Vegas, NM area wells go dry

LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP) - Las Vegas-area residents whose household wells have gone dry are blaming the city's increased pumping at Taylor Wells southwest of town.

The city has been pumping a half million gallons nearly daily as municipal reservoirs drop.

City officials say they have to use the water rights or risk the state engineer taking them away.

Jack and Betty Thompson of Ojitos Frios have been without water for more than two weeks - one of 16 households without well water.

San Miguel County Commissioner David Salazar, in an e-mail to the Thompsons, said the county is limited in helping because the wells are privately owned.

The state constitution's anti-donation clause bars public money from going to private purposes.

Jack Thompson says residents are considering drilling a community well.

Information from: Las Vegas Optic