State issues boil advisory for southeastern New Mexico city

ARTESIA, N.M. (AP) — State officials are urging thousands of residents in one southeastern New Mexico community to boil their water after tests turned up E. coli contamination in their water system. The New Mexico Environment Department says the boil advisory issued over the weekend includes the city of Artesia as well as surrounding homes that rely on the Morningside Water Users Cooperative. The Artesia municipal water system serves about 14,000 people. The Morningside system serves an additional 358 customers. State officials say the presence of E. coli indicates that the water may have been in contact with sewage or animal wastes and could contain disease-causing organisms. The Artesia utility is required to test the water until no further threat of contamination remains.