How to Join
Why a Quit Claim?
In order for a mutual domestic water association to provide water to its residents it needs to acquire water rights. The best way to obtain those rights is for each member to contribute a sliver of his or her domestic well water rights to a consolidated pool of water rights held by the association. Each member will, in turn, retain use of that water right through the association. Whatever amount is contributed is returned to the member through the water service to the member's home. By sharing our individual water rights in a consolidated pool, we will be able to reduce the amount of funds needed for water rights acquisition through grants and loans.
The approach suggested by the OSE for assignment of water rights to El Creston is a Quit Claim deed for a small portion of the water rights that accompany your domestic well permit. The maximum interior water rights that the OSE will allow well owners to assign is 60 gallons, per person per day, or 0.0672 acre feet per person. For a family of 4, this is a little over a quarter of one acre foot.
What Do I Do Next?
Download the Application for Membership and the Quit Claim Deed form. You will need to find a copy of your Warranty Deed for your home and your Well Record. If you need help on filling out the Quit Claim, download the Quit Claim Instructions. The legal description to your property, will be found in your Warranty Deed, and will be used in both the Application for Membership and the Quit Claim Deed. Information from your well Record will be used in the Quit Claim Deed.
If you have not transferred ownership of your well from the prior owner to your name, you will need to do so. If you do not have your well record, download Determining The Status Of Your Water Rights.
Please fill out the Application for Membership and the Quit Claim Deed. The Quit Claim Deed will need to be signed in front of a Notary Public. Please return all documents plus the membership fee to El Creston MDWCA, Box 931, Las Vegas, NM 87701.
After receipt, the officers will approve the application, execute the documents on behalf of El Creston and return a copy to you. If you have any questions about how to fill out the paperwork, please call Cheryl at 505-718-6932.
Click on the "Apply Now" link on the right side of this webpage.
Where Do I Find a Notary Public?
Each of the three banks in Las Vegas has a Notary who will notarize the Quit Claim Deed during business hours, for a nominal fee, or free, if you bank there. Cheryl Zebrowski is also a Notary and has volunteered to help. You may reach her at 718-6932.