Good morning, I wanted to provide an update on the current Black Water Well
Field electrical power outage. I am happy to report that the Water Department
has made tremendous progress. After a long day with a large amount of work
on May 30, 2024, the Staff, with the help of Quantum Solutions, were able to
complete the process to get the well field online and powered after the great
assistance from Roosevelt County Electric Coop. and Xcel. The tanks at
Johnson Hill are currently at 28.0 feet which returns our community to the
appropriate tank level for our community’s safety. Tank level is crucial in that we
are a gravity fed system which means the tank level drastically impacts the
pressures we receive inside the system in our homes as well as in the hydrants for
fire suppression. The progress made throughout this emergency highlights the
great partners we have in our community. I would like to thank the community,
staff, Xcel, Roosevelt County Electric Coop., Diary Farmers of America, Mayor
Miller, and City Council for everything done to assist during this emergency.
Thank you for your support and patience.

The current Drought Contingency Plan is available at www.portalesnm.gov.
Below is a summary of the Stage 2 Restrictions with the amendments made by the
Council on April 23, 2024.
Sincerely,

Timothy J. Cathey
Portales Fire Department, Fire/EMS Chief
City of Portales, Interim City Manager
1028 West Community Way
Portales, NM 88130
575-356-4406
firechief@portalesnm.gov

Stage 2 Water Alert/Restrictions
(City Manager with City Council Concurrence)
• Water Supply Tanks Level
o 18 Feet and Dropping
• Government: Parks, Pool, Cemetery, and Fire Services
o Outdoor landscape watering: NO WATERING between 10 am and 6 pm. No
watering on Mondays, then may water Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Handheld buckets and shut-off hoses can be used anytime. Reclaimed and
greywater may be used anytime.
o Swimming Pool: One initial filling for recirculating pools only, no draining and
refilling.
• Schools and Churches
o Outdoor landscape watering: NO WATERING between 10 am and 6 pm. No
watering on Mondays, then may water Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Handheld buckets and shut-off hoses can be used anytime. Reclaimed and
greywater may be used anytime.
• Residential
o Outdoor landscape watering: NO WATERING between 10 am and 6 pm. No
watering on Mondays, then may water Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Each
household can water for 30 minutes per week per household between 9:00 pm and
7:00 am. Odd Addresses water on from 9:00 pm Monday until 7:00 am Tuesday.
Even Addresses water from 9:00 pm Thursday until 7:00 am Friday. Handheld
buckets and shut-off hoses can be used anytime. Reclaimed and greywater may
be used anytime.
o Car Washing: Anytime if bucket or shut-off hose is used.
o Spas and Swimming Pools: One initial filling for recirculating pools only, no
draining and refilling.
o Water runoff from sprinkler systems, washing down pavement, sidewalks, etc.
o Ornamental fountains: Allowed only if water is recirculating.
• Commercial
o Car Washing: Anytime on immediate premises.
o Nurseries: Encouraged to use conservation practices, but exempt from irrigation
restrictions.
o Restaurants: Only serve water on request.
o Construction projects: Limited to water use required by regulatory agencies. For
dust control only, effluent or reclaimed water may be used.