Comeback Story - An Aquifer on the Rebound

Summary

Albuquerque faced a water crisis in the mid-1990s when it was discovered that the aquifer was being depleted. To combat this, the Water Authority implemented a multifaceted strategy including conservation, reuse, aquifer storage and recovery, and the San Juan Chama drinking water project. These efforts have saved approximately a million acre-feet of water, equivalent to 10 years of supply, despite ongoing drought. The city's proactive approach since the 1990s has set it apart from other communities and increased its water supply even during consecutive drought years.

Takeaways

• 💧 **Water Conservation Success**: Albuquerque's water conservation efforts since the mid-1990s have saved approximately a million acre-feet of water in the aquifer, equivalent to 10 years of supply at the current rate.
• 🏜️ **Desert City Challenge**: As a desert city, Albuquerque has historically relied on the regional underground aquifer for its water supply, but faced a crisis when data showed a significant drawdown.
• 🚰 **Shift from Aquifer Dependence**: Realizing the aquifer could no longer be the sole water source, Albuquerque turned to a water resources management strategy involving conservation, reuse, aquifer storage, and recovery.
• 🌱 **Incentives for Conservation**: The Water Authority invested in conservation by offering rebates for water-efficient fixtures and appliances, and promoting xeriscaping, which led to a significant reduction in daily per capita water use.
• 💧 **Reuse of Water**: Albuquerque implemented systems to reuse water, including combining surface water with industrial effluent and recycling wastewater treatment plant effluent for non-potable uses.
• 💧 **Aquifer Storage and Recovery**: The Bear Canyon project was the first of its kind in New Mexico, storing non-potable surface water in the aquifer to mimic natural stormwater infiltration and prevent evaporation.
• 🌊 **San Juan Chama Project**: Albuquerque utilized its rights to surface water from the federal government to construct a project that diverted and consumed Colorado River water, directly replenishing the aquifer.
• 💹 **Financing the Project**: The half a billion-dollar construction of the San Juan Chama drinking water project was financed by rate increases, demonstrating the community's commitment to securing their water future.
• 📈 **Aquifer Recovery**: Despite six consecutive years of drought, Albuquerque has seen the aquifer rise by 15 to 20 feet in some areas, a testament to the effectiveness of their water management strategies.
• 🌟 **Unique Approach**: What sets Albuquerque apart is its proactive and comprehensive approach to water management, starting in the mid-90s, which has positioned it as a leader in innovative water solutions.

Q & A

How much water has the Albuquerque Water Authority saved in the aquifer since the mid-1990s?

The Albuquerque Water Authority has saved about a million acre-feet of water in the aquifer since the mid-1990s.

What does the saved water amount to in terms of years of supply at Albuquerque's current rate?

The saved water amounts to about 10 years of supply at Albuquerque's current rate.

What was the initial perception about the aquifer in Albuquerque?

Initially, it was believed that Albuquerque was sitting on a continually replenished aquifer connected to the Rio Grande.

What changed in the mid-1990s regarding Albuquerque's aquifer?

New data in the mid-1990s showed that the aquifer had been drawn down by as much as 120 feet, indicating a water crisis.

What was Albuquerque's initial water usage per person per day before the conservation efforts?

Before the conservation efforts, Albuquerque's water usage was about 250 gallons per person per day.

What measures did the Water Authority take to promote water conservation?

The Water Authority earmarked a million dollars per year in rebates for water-efficient fixtures, appliances, and replacement of turf with desert-friendly xeriscaping.

How successful was the conservation program in reducing water usage by 2015?

By 2015, daily per capita water use had declined to 127 gallons, despite population growth.

What is the purpose of the reuse systems built in Albuquerque?

The reuse systems are designed to use a combination of surface water, industrial effluent, and recycled wastewater to serve a large percentage of the turf in Albuquerque.

How does the aquifer storage and recovery project mimic the natural process of water replenishment?

The project takes non-potable surface water from the Rio Grande, pipes it up, and releases it into the Arroyo, which naturally infiltrates into the aquifer.

What is the benefit of underground storage in the aquifer storage and recovery project?

The benefit of underground storage is that it is not subject to evaporation, unlike surface reservoirs.

What is the San Juan Chama drinking water project and how did it affect Albuquerque's water supply?

The San Juan Chama drinking water project involves diverting and fully consuming imported Colorado River water as a direct source, which has helped to increase Albuquerque's water supply and raise the aquifer levels.

How has Albuquerque managed to increase its water supply despite six consecutive years of drought?

Albuquerque has managed to increase its water supply through a combination of conservation, reuse, aquifer storage and recovery, and the San Juan Chama drinking water project.