New Mexico regulators levy $1M against water utility

FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — State regulators have fined a troubled water utility $1 million and ordered that it immediately provide safe drinking water to residents in a Farmington-area subdivision. The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission unanimously approved the order against AV Water Co. LLC during a meeting Wednesday. The Farmington Daily Times reports (http://bit.ly/2fsTRez) it's possible the fine could be waived. Commissioners said they included the option of waiving fines to prevent discouraging another entity from taking over the water system. AV Water Co. customers in the Morningstar and Harvest Gold systems were issued a boil-water advisory in June. The Harvest Gold advisory remains in effect, and state regulators say they have received dozens of informal complaints about water quality. The New Mexico Environment Department also has levied its own fines against the utility.