By Rich Anderson
October 17, 2005

Albuquerque (NM) Mayor Martin J. Chavez, Chairman of the Urban Water Council, hosted the annual Urban Water Summit during the city’s world renowned Balloon Fiesta. Chavez and John Stomp, Water Resource Manager for the city of Albuquerque, kicked off the first of two days of panel presentations by presenting information on Albuquerque’s water agenda. The presentation, entitled “Albuquerque, New Mexico: Our Water - Our Future” focused on information describing the delicate water resources situation faced by the city, and the various projects Chavez is leading in the area of aquifer restoration, water conservation, and major water infrastructure capital investments.

Albuquerque relies primarily on what was thought in the 1960s to be a high volume aquifer. The major surface water resource is the Rio Grande River that flows nearby the city. Engineering studies from earlier periods suggested that the Rio Grande re-supplied the aquifer. Concerns over low flow conditions prompted city decision makers in the past to purchase water from another source, the San Juan-Chama, and channel it over to the Rio Grande to replenish the river. This, it was thought, would provide an adequate water supply for the city, the local economy and the agricultural activities in the area.

More recent hydrological investigations indicate that these assumptions were flawed. Studies determined that the Rio Grande does not replenish the aquifer and the volume of water contained in the aquifer is smaller than previously estimated. In 2002 it was learned that groundwater levels were experiencing huge declines with growing cones of depression (the hydrologist’s term for the effect of pumping water faster than it gets replenished). Additional evidence of declining groundwater levels was observed in the form of surface land subsidence in the vicinity of wells. Chavez and his water resource managers called for action to stem the loss of groundwater and secure the water supply for the city’s future.

The city embarked upon an ambitious water conservation program in 1994 that called for a goal of 30 percent reduction in water consumption by 2004. The program exceeded expectations and achieved 33 percent water use reductions by 2004. The city established a new goal of 40 percent reduction from 1994 levels by the year 2014. Generally speaking, the level of per capita consumption was at 250 gallons, and the conservation program is intended to bring per capita consumption down to 175 gallons.

The conservation program relies on several key elements. One of them is to achieve reductions in unaccounted for water (UAW). City estimates indicate that as much as 10 percent of water distributed via pipelines was leaking into the ground. The program of leak detection and pipe repair aimed at reducing UAW to 5.4 percent

Another key element is to experiment with water use rates. The city commissioned a comprehensive study of water rates. Some of the changes that are either in effect or scheduled to go into effect include: an increase in the water surcharge; implement increasing block rate charges; and encourage users to individualize water use reduction goals.

A number of measures are aimed at the residential user. For example, the city is providing a rebate for residents who replace toilets with low flush versions. Residents are encouraged to reduce aggregate outdoor water use by five percent. The city implemented a program to reduce the highest 20 percent of residential water users to conform to average residential use levels.

Efforts to reduce commercial and industrial water use are also ambitious. A major goal is to reduce overall commercial water use by one percent. This is a small percentage but the actual amount of water that will be saved is enormous because the commercial sector is a major water consumer. Prohibiting once-through cooling systems will also save an enormous amount of water. The city will sponsor industry sector-specific conservation efforts such as in hotels.

City government is also considered a key element in the water conservation program. Chavez indicated that this is an area that the Mayor’s office has the power to make a difference. One of the elements of this program is to switch to reuse or wash water for all truck fill-up. Another element is to install new or replaced grass medians and aesthetics-only turf facilities with xeriscape designs. All municipal buildings will replace high flow toilets with low flow toilets.

Having learned that the aquifer will not meet the full water needs of Albuquerque in the future, the city has begun development of a new water treatment plant that will eventually provide 90 percent of water supply from the San Juan-Chama, a surface water source. The San Juan-Chama is essentially a river diversion from Colorado. Rather than discharging the diversion water into the Rio Grande, it will be piped to the new water treatment plant.

The plant is sized at 100 million gallons per day (MGD). The plant will be situated on a 90-acre site. The capital cost is estimated to be $375 million. The city will finance the project with a pay-as-you-go approach that relies on increases in user rates. Seven planned rate increases will occur over the next several years. The first rate increase is 4.7 percent over current rates. Six additional rate increases of 4.5 percent will happen over scheduled intervals. Overall, the city will increase potable water rates by 31.7 percent.

The new water plant started construction in August, 2004. Currently, the site preparation is complete; and, foundations for the chemical and administrative buildings are in progress. The plant is scheduled to be completed and in operation by 2008.