Coin-operated water machine replaced

The coin-operated machine at Tucumcari's water pump station located at Third and Main streets has been replaced.

QCS photo: Jerrene Bradley

City water department employees Chris Gries and Michael Esquibel install the new money machine, which will accept more denominations of cash from customers.

Officials said the machine quit working recently and a city employee had to fill farmers' and ranchers' water wagons. The new machine went into operation on Monday, still offering 50 gallons of water for a quarter.

Water Department Superintendent Charlie Sandoval said the old machine was installed in June of 1978. The new machine will still take quarters, but now it also takes $1, $5, $10 and $20 bills.

Tucumcari's Robert Carr was one of the first to use the new coin-operated machine. He had a 50-gallon tank and said he needed the water to mix concrete for the new house he is building. Ranchers often use the city service to water livestock, especially during drought conditions.