The Senator went on to call for a cooperative effort to quantify the extent of the underlying aquifer, the amount of water in storage and the water's quality, location and availability. The initiative would include quantifying the amount of surface water available and how the surface and groundwater are interconnected. Such a study will help determine the fate of New Mexico's economic future, according to the Senator.
It's obvious why the basin is so important nearly forty percent of New Mexico's population lives on top of the basin, the region's population is growing quickly and the associated demands of economic development must be addressed. And the problems facing the Middle Rio Grande are problems facing other basins around the state.
This year's conference theme, The Water Future of Albuquerque and Middle Rio Grande Basin proved to be timely. Sponsored by the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute and cosponsored this year by the American Water Resources Association, New Mexico Section, the conference attracted nearly 400 participants who attended plenary and concurrent sessions over a two-day period.
The first morning of the conference was devoted to providing an overview of the history of water development in the basin and background on the area's hydrogeology. Well publicized recent studies that call into question the amount of easily obtainable water once thought available in the Middle Rio Grande region and solutions to the water availability problem were discussed by a panel. The panel consisted of experts with many years collective experience who are well versed in the area's geology.
Panelist Bob Grant, an Albuquerque consulting geologist, emphasized that political solutions to the availability problem would be as important as technical solutions, and that whatever the solutions, they are going to be very expensive. Grant, on a positive note, said, The good news is that this city does have the most fantastic, incredibly bountiful, world class aquifer beneath it, the porosities, the specific yield, storage capacities and so on that range from an average of 15-35% that's about 2 to 3 times more than what an average, good groundwater aquifer would be.
Kelly Summers, also a local consultant on New Mexico's water resources, focused on the need to manage water resources regionally. Solutions to the region's water problems should be paid for by those in the region not with state funds, not with federal funds, according to Summers.
American Ground Water Consultant, Bill Turner, focused on the need to change, modify and rebuild New Mexico's water resources institutions in a manner that enables us to quantify our water resources in a nonpolitical atmosphere. Turner called for greatly expanding the role of the Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources in this area.
John Hawley, New Mexico Tech geologist, who earlier provided the background on the hydrogeology of the area, discussed the need to preserve and enhance the quality of existing institutions, and individuals who can hit the ground running in resolving water resources problems. The brain drain from New Mexico agencies must be stopped if we are to maintain viable programs within our agencies, claims Hawley.
The panel moderator, Norm Gaume, manager of the City of Albuquerque's Public Works Department's Water Resources Program, reminded the audience that public support is crucial to making any solution work. Gaume noted that although water-rate increases will be necessary in the future, the public should be aware that Albuquerque's citizens would still likely pay less than most other New Mexicans. Gaume stated that one of the best solutions to Albuquerque's water resources situation is water conservation. The City staff has proposed a long-term conservation strategy to achieve a 30% savings of water. The program's cost to City government would be approximately $40 million and if that estimate turns out to be true, the water that would be saved through conservation would be the cheapest water by far that Albuquerque has ever obtained.
Chart of City of Albuquerque water withdrawals.
The morning plenary session drew to a close with comments by John Tysseling of Energy, Economic and Environmental Consultants. The water resources problems of the Middle Rio Grande have been articulated fairly well technically, claimed Tysseling, ...but the water issue is not just a technical problem. Our social choices are much more complex than that. It is the public's choice as to how they will use their water, according to Tysseling, and a concern of his is whether the leaders of the City of Albuquerque are just fulfilling their obligation to a process of choosing or whether it is their responsibility that they're fulfilling in allowing the public to choose.
Over 70 speakers presented talks on a wide variety of topics relevant to the Middle Rio Grande basin. Technical sessions were presented on the USGS Albuquerque Basin Groundwater Model, surface and groundwater interaction, studies on flooding, wastewater reclamation, transmissivity of the Albuquerque aquifer, sediment studies on the Rio Grande and many others. Water rights, water quality standards, Indian pueblo issues, pertinent state and federal regulations, and water conservation efforts also were discussed.
The final wrap-up session was devoted to finding con sensus on the issues discussed during the conference. Dr. John Hernandez from New Mexico State University, and University of New Mexico Law Professor Al Utton moderated audience participation. Both moderators proved optimistic in their views of the region's water resources.
At the end of the day there seemed to be consensus on the need for conservation, more and better data, and a need for increased cooperation among stakeholders, of which there are many. However, no consensus was reached on such complex issues as defining the public welfare, preferential use of some types of water uses over others, and the role endangered species will play in managing water resources.
The New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute will publish a complete proceedings of the conference this spring. Copies will be sent to all conference participants and additional copies will be available from the WRRI for a small charge. For a copy of the proceedings, write or call WRRI, Box 30001/Dept. 3167, Las Cruces, NM 88003; (505) 646-1813.
