Albuquerque relies on locally pumped groundwater as well as surface water imported from the Colorado River basin via the San Juan-Chama Project. The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority is one of many agencies tasked with protecting the watersheds in which our local supply originates.
Where does the drinking water in Albuquerque come from?
Albuquerque and Bernalillo County rely on groundwater from the Santa Fe Group Aquifer and surface water from the San Juan-Chama Drinking Water Project. Groundwater wells combine with the San Juan-Chama project to produce about 32 billion gallons of drinking water for the Water Authority’s service area every year.
Does Albuquerque have enough water?
Albuquerque, a 300-year-old desert community, sits at the crossroads of the arid Southwest. With an average annual rainfall of a scant 9.5 inches, it is nestled in the heart of New Mexico – which boasts the lowest ratio of surface water to land area in all the United States.
What is New Mexico’s main water source?
New Mexico relies on both groundwater and surface water sources, but about 87 percent of New Mexico’s public water supply comes from ground water. No other southwestern state gets such a large percentage of its domestic water from groundwater sources.
What are the two main sources of drinking water in NM?
Drinking water comes from two basics sources: surface water and ground water. These water sources are linked through the hydrologic cycle. Initially, all of New Mexico’s water comes from precipitation, and the principal constraint on our water supply is climate. Most of New Mexico is a desert.
What Year Will New Mexico run out of water?
“It could be 100 years, or 80 years, or 60 years — we’ve got a limited amount of water,” says Dave DuBois, New Mexico’s state climatologist. “We’ve got these long horizons, but that doesn’t mean we need to blow through that and then figure out what to do.”
Is it safe to drink the tap water in Albuquerque?
Our water meets all federal and state standards for drinking water quality, and has also been recognized for its good taste. It is important to note that the Water Authority provides water that meets all state and federal legal standards for safe drinking water.
How big is the aquifer under Albuquerque?
The city operates 93 water wells, distributed over 200 square miles, that raise the ground water to the land surface. While the depth to the water table (the uppermost level of ground water) in the Albuquerque area varies between 15 and 1000 feet, the city system taps the aquifer with wells as deep as 1,800 feet.
Who uses the most water in New Mexico?
agriculture’s
While agriculture’s economic impact in New Mexico is usually just a few percent a year, it’s by far the largest consumer of water — irrigation accounted for 76% of water withdrawals in 2015, according to the latest available state engineer report.
Why can’t you drink the water in New Mexico?
High Levels Of Arsenic In Albuquerque Tap Water
Arsenic is a toxic metal that is known to cause cancer and other health issues. Unlike lead, which distributes into water from plumbing, arsenic comes from the source water itself.
What aquifer does Albuquerque use?
Santa Fe Group aquifer system
Albuquerque relies on the Santa Fe Group aquifer system, a network of interconnected groundwater deposits within the Middle Rio Grande Basin stretching beneath Albuquerque and the surrounding communities. Generally, aquifers are recharged from precipitation that filters down through sediment, Galanter said.
How deep is the aquifer in New Mexico?
at least 6,000 feet.
Where in New Mexico has the most water?
Elephant Butte Lake, located in southern New Mexico, is the state’s largest lake and most popular spot for enjoying the water.
How much does it cost to drill a water well in New Mexico?
Drilling a residential water well costs $25 to $65 per foot or $3,750 to $15,300 on average for a complete system and installation. Prices include the drilling, a pump, casing, wiring, and more. Total costs largely depend on the depth drilled and the well’s diameter.
How deep is the average well in New Mexico?
100 to 800 feet deep
Most of those are domestic wells; the typical well is about five inches in diameter and 100 to 800 feet deep, with a submersible pump at the bottom.
Can you drill a water well in New Mexico?
It is illegal to drill a water well in New Mexico if you are not a licensed well driller. While you are allowed to repair and maintain the pump on your own well, you must hire a licensed well driller to drill and construct the initial structure.
Is Albuquerque a good place to live?
US News & World Report release best places to live; Albuquerque ranks 120th. NATIONAL (CBS NEWSPATH/KRQE) – U.S. News and World Report is out with its annual list of Best Places to Live in the Country.
Is Albuquerque in a drought?
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
In a recent journal article published in “Nature Climate Change,” researchers found the years 2000 to 2021 is the driest two-decade period since 800 A.D. “This last decade has really been tough for the state,” Mike Hamman, the state engineer, said.
Does NM get water from Colorado River?
In New Mexico, water from the Colorado River Basin flows through the federal San Juan-Chama project, a series of diversions and tunnels, before merging with the Rio Grande. Santa Fe, Albuquerque, farmers and pueblos are among the users of San Juan-Chama water.
Does Albuquerque water have fluoride?
Fluoride is a mineral found naturally in Albuquerque’s water supply at levels of about 0.4 to 0.5 milligram per liter, according to a report prepared by the utility staff.
Is Albuquerque water chlorinated?
By law, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires chlorine to be added to all drinking water for disinfection.