CLOVIS, NEW MEXICO (AP) -- CLOVIS, N.M. (AP) - A water utility that serves thousands of customers in eastern New Mexico says it's disappointed that an exploratory well has failed to find enough quality water to supplement what's being provided by the Ogallala Aquifer.
New Mexico American Water says it drilled the well to determine if a formation that lies below the aquifer could serve as an additional source for Clovis. The utility says as the aquifer declines, it becomes more challenging and more expensive to supply water to its customers.
In 10 years, the utility has gone from 28 wells to 61 wells and is producing 20 percent less water.
The utility says the results from the exploratory well highlight the need for the community to support federal funding for the proposed $500 million Ute pipeline and conserve more.
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