Water Crisis in Estancia Linked to Detainees’ Health Complaints
The town of Estancia is grappling with a significant water shortage, a situation that coincides with a marked increase in complaints regarding water quality from immigrants detained at the nearby Torrance County Detention Center. Tiffany Wang, a staff attorney at Contigo Immigration Justice, visits the facility weekly and has heard disturbing accounts from detainees.
Detainees Report Skin Irritations from Contaminated Water
In recent weeks, Wang reported that at least five detainees expressed concern during legal aid visits about the water quality. These individuals claim that the water used for showers is causing rashes and various skin irritations.
Personal Accounts Shed Light on Deteriorating Health
One detainee, 55-year-old Ronnie Pereira, detailed his experience in a phone interview from the facility. Pereira believes the water is responsible for rashes, dermatitis, and increased hair loss. A Brazilian detainee has been held at the facility for nearly a year and reported that his concerns were largely dismissed by medical personnel when he sought help about two weeks ago.
Medical Guidance Raises Concerns About Water Quality
Pereira indicated that doctors advised him to limit his showers to just twice a week due to the problems he has been experiencing. This alarming guidance has heightened concerns over the facility’s water quality, leaving detainees apprehensive about their daily hygiene.
Official Responses to Water Quality Concerns
CoreCivic, the private entity managing the detention center, has not addressed specific allegations raised by detainees or general inquiries about the water quality. However, spokesperson Ryan Gustin mentioned that the company has increased the supply of drinking water transported from other locations, asserting that normal operations remain unchanged.
Community Response to Water Emergency
In late June, Estancia’s Board of Supervisors declared a water emergency due to critically low levels in the community’s storage tanks. They authorized immediate measures to prevent faucets from running dry in the town, which has a population of around 1,300 residents. This declaration required officials to reduce the water drawn from the municipal system by the detention facility, identified as the largest consumer of the town’s water resources.
Future Plans to Address Water Supply Issues
Local officials have not responded to inquiries regarding the ongoing water crisis. Meanwhile, Jerry Tindell from Bean Valley RV Park noted improvements in water pressure recently and expressed hope for a resolution. Plans are underway to drill a new well in mid-August, supported by an emergency order which enables the town to obtain approximately $5 million in funding from the New Mexico Water Trust Board to aid in the drilling of additional municipal wells.
