Tularosa Unites to Overcome Water Crisis, Eyes Future Infrastructure - A Conversation with Mayor Cooksey

Tularosa, New Mexico, faced a critical test of community resolve this week when heavy mountain rains sent debris cascading into the village’s primary water intake pipe, threatening to exhaust the region’s already-limited reserves. But swift action by local utility workers, combined with an outpouring of support from local businesses, regional institutions, and neighboring tribes, averted disaster in a display of the kind of cooperation that keeps small rural communities functioning.

“This was a real crisis situation,” said Mayor Debbie Cooksey. “But what we saw was the best of our community stepping up when we needed them most.”

Hear the complete interview and conversation between the Mayor of Tularosa and Alamogordo Town News Streaming Journalist Anthony Lucero on KALHRadio.org via the link below…

Crisis Strikes

The problem emerged when debris from burn scars upstream clogged the intake pipe drawing water from the creek—Tularosa’s sole water source. With reserves plummeting and the village facing a potential complete water shutdown, Utility Manager Angel Morback and his team sprang into action, rapidly diagnosing the blockage and beginning cleanup operations.

“Our utility team worked around the clock to resolve this,” Cooksey said. “Angel Morback’s expertise and dedication made all the difference.”

While repairs were underway, emergency water trucks sustained residents as the village’s supplies dwindled. What came next, however, underscored the strength of Tularosa’s institutional relationships.

Community Rallies

Donations poured in from an unlikely coalition of supporters. Local retailers including Lowe’s, Home Depot, Albertsons, and Walmart contributed water supplies. More significantly, Holloman Air Force Base—a major presence in the region—and the Muscalero Apache Nation provided substantial emergency assistance.

“The hospital, the military base, tribal leadership—everyone recognized this was an emergency and acted accordingly,” Cooksey said. “That kind of cooperation doesn’t happen everywhere.”

Within days, the utility team had cleared the blockage and restored water flow. Though a boil water advisory was issued as a precautionary measure while water systems were being combined, multiple tests quickly confirmed the safety of the village’s water supply. The advisory was lifted shortly thereafter.

Looking Forward

The crisis, while resolved quickly, has reinforced long-standing concerns about the village’s vulnerability. Tularosa depends entirely on a single water source—a risky proposition in a desert environment where natural disasters, debris flows, and potential spills could again threaten supply.

“Securing a second water source has been a priority for years,” Cooksey explained. “We have a well that exists, but we need extensive new piping to connect it to our tanks. It’s a significant infrastructure project, but it’s essential for long-term resilience.”

In the meantime, the village continues pursuing other community improvements. A planned splash pad project faces delays due to evolving state environmental and safety requirements, though Cooksey expressed confidence in completing it within her current term.

“These regulations change, and we have to adapt,” she said. “But it’s worth it to provide amenities our community deserves.”

A Model of Governance

What struck observers most, perhaps, was not just the crisis response but the apparent unity of local leadership throughout. Cooksey spoke pointedly about the contrast between Tularosa’s cohesive governing board and the dysfunction plaguing some neighboring municipalities and other water and sanitation districts. 

“We have a board that works together,” she said. “When we face challenges, we face them as a team. That makes all the difference in what we can accomplish.”

As Tularosa moves forward, the water crisis appears to have crystallized what residents already knew: a small rural community’s greatest asset isn’t infrastructure or resources, but the willingness of neighbors, institutions, and leaders to work toward common goals.

“We learned something important this week,” Cooksey reflected. “We learned that when things get tough, Tularosa doesn’t just survive—we thrive.”

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