In the heart of Roswell, New Mexico, our community is facing a water bill crisis that’s affecting each and every one of us, from single mothers to retired senior citizens. As someone who has lived here and seen the impact firsthand, I am deeply concerned about the alarming rate at which our water bills have increased.

Many of us are struggling to make ends meet, caught in the vice grip of rising costs driven by economic challenges. Our city council members have stated that decades of neglected water infrastructure have necessitated these hikes to fund overdue repairs. However, the burden of these necessary improvements should not rest solely on the shoulders of hardworking residents who are already stretched thin.

The situation is even more dire for those trying to establish a basic living environment. Families are being denied essential water services due to unpaid bills left by previous tenants over four years ago. This policy harms single mothers who, rather than having running water in their homes, are forced to buy expensive gallons of water just to bathe their children or cook dinner.

It's heartbreaking to witness our esteemed elders being pulled out of retirement to cover these surging costs, essentially nullifying the financial security they've spent years building. This is a situation that cannot continue.

We are calling on the Roswell City Council and the local water authority to immediately address this crisis. Implementing a fair payment plan for unpaid bills, based on individual current tenant usage rather than past dues, would provide a tangible and immediate relief to families. We also need an emergency review to explore how funds can be redistributed or services adjusted without penalizing low-income households.

Furthermore, we urge for transparency in how funds are being allocated towards infrastructure improvements and request an independent audit to ensure that all measures are efficient and effective.

Solving the water pricing problem in Roswell is not just about fairness; it’s about our community’s right to access essential services without financial distress. The time for change is now.

Please sign this petition and join us in demanding fair water billing practices and sustainable improvements to our infrastructure that do not compromise our residents’ financial well-being. Together, we can create a system that works for everyone.