originally posted on July 24, 2016

FARMINGTON, N.M. — Residents in northwestern New Mexico are pushing for water conservation to help end an ongoing boil advisory.

Officials with the AV Water company said Saturday that construction of a pump station to bring treated waterto Crouch Mesa community is complete but existing water in their pipes needs to be flushed out.

Protesters tell the Farmington Daily Times that the nearly 7,000 residents will have to reduce water usage to ensure there’s enough to complete the flush.

The boil advisory started May 25 because of multiple failures at the company’s treatment plant.

The company since has entered into an agreement to buy bulk water from Farmington.

New Mexico Environment Department spokeswoman Allison Scott Majure says inspections and water sampling are still needed before the advisory can be lifted.