Senate Joint Memorial 4 requests that the Governor of New Mexico instruct state agencies and authorities to urgently advance and coordinate the conversion, purification, and transmission of remote agricultural water resources to the city of Portales and Roosevelt County for municipal drinking water. The memorial highlights the critical water supply issues faced by Portales, which has seen a significant depletion of its groundwater resources from the Ogallala/High Plains aquifer. It emphasizes the need for immediate action to secure additional purified drinking water, particularly as the city has been under severe water restrictions and faces ongoing litigation over water resource allocation.

The memorial outlines specific actions for the Governor, including directing the governor's drought task force to explore all potential resources for delivering purified drinking water, declaring an emergency related to the drinking water insecurity, and coordinating with various state departments to develop a comprehensive regional water plan. It also calls for the eastern New Mexico water utility authority to utilize the finished water pipeline to facilitate the delivery of drinking water to Portales without delay. The resolution underscores the importance of strong state leadership in addressing the water crisis and ensuring the long-term water needs of the residents of Portales and Roosevelt County are met.