Spring Into Action

Under the guidance of Councilor Carol Romero-Wirth, the Water Conservation Committee is operating at full capacity with three new appointees: Brandon Vella, Navona Gallegos and TC Richmond. With those appointments comes subcommittee assignments in the Commercial, Outdoor and Education sectors. Last summer, we not only hit record production numbers but also record temps with very little rain. The City’s GPCD (Gallons per Capita per Day) numbers increased requiring the Water Conservation Committee and staff the opportunity to make the adjustments necessary to continue to stay water conservative in the City.

Addressing this specific issue, our Outdoor Subcommittee, led by Robert Wood from the Water Conservation Office, will be focusing on building our urban canopy through the implementation of new tree planting incentives and partnerships with local nurseries.  Building upon the success of a pilot program conducted two years ago in three neighborhoods, we will utilize collected data to develop appropriate educational materials aimed at ensuring the survival of each newly planted tree. We are also collaborating with the Municipal Tree Board to circulate a tree guide and we are introducing incentives for city customers who sign up for EyeOnWater.Additionally, partnerships with local experts such as the Master Gardeners and Xerces Society will aid in promoting pollinators and enhancing biodiversity. This group will work closely with the City’s talented Water Resources Team, utilizing technical tools like dashboards and modeling platforms to monitor and track efforts in our pilot programs.

Ramon Coriz also from our office, leads our education program in partnership with the Santa Fe Watershed Association(SFWA). The SFWA not only leads several of the City’s Education programs for students elementary through high school, but also facilitates many of our adult education programs including guided tours into the City’s municipal watershed and Climate Masters Training. We will be actively participating in Earth Day celebrations at Railyard Park on April 20th, hosting spring planting discussions at Southside Library on March 30th, and distributing seeds. In June we’ll be sponsoring the Next Generation Water Summit which is free for virtual attendance for all city and county residents and will be held at the Roundhouse. This event will be accompanied by city demonstration tours across the city that showcase water efficiency projects and strategies.

Finally, in our office, Patricio Pacheco will lead our commercial work, focusing on the Waterwise Business program. This multi-layered initiative involves the Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe Green Chamber of Commerce and the City’s restaurants, hotels, shopping centers, medical facilities and state and federal buildings. Over 120 businesses have participated in the Waterwise Business program, undergoing assessments to enhance water efficiency in their operations. By participating, each establishment receives a WaterWise badge, signaling to patrons their commitment to water conservation. The Santa Fe Community College plays a crucial role in training a workforce to conduct these assessments on behalf of the City. Visit our Waterwise Business page for more info and to sign up through our partner Santa Fe Green Chamber of Commerce.

Similar Posts

  • What’s Up With Water 2025

    Why was Nichols Reservoir empty all winter? Why are water rates going to go up? Where will the water come from this summer? Where will the water come from next year, next decade, and next century? Come and find out! City of Santa Fe Water Division announced that its annual “What’s Up with Water” presentation will…

  • Santa Feans Keeping An EyeOnWater

    Santa Fe is known for our water saving culture and the City is focused on technical water management solutions to help our community continue our water saving ethics. One of our key technical solutions is the EyeOnWater web portal and smartphone app. EyeOnWater provides City water customers with easy access to personal water consumption data and the ability…

  • City Hiring Sustainability Supervisor

    Are you a dynamic leader passionate about advancing climate action, equity, and long-term resilience? Join the City of Santa Fe’s Public Utilities Department as our next Sustainability Supervisor, where you’ll help shape the future of one of the most unique and environmentally significant cities in the country. Apply Online: https://cityofsantafenmemployees.munisselfservice.com/employmentopportunities/default.aspx About the role: Who we’re…

  • Water Conservation Committee Vacancies

    The City is seeking passionate community members to fill 3 vacant positions on the Water Conservation Committee. Application Deadline: February 28, 2025 Who We’re Looking For:• Individuals with experience in water conservation, water quality, water policy, or landscaping.• Anyone interested in shaping policies and programs dedicated to water conservation. The Committee plays a vital role in recommending policies…

  • Plant for Pollinators!

    Check out our new Pollinator Resource Guide, developed in partnership with Xerces Society. Also, be sure to visit our Waterwise Landscape page for more resources about planting trees, shrubs and plants that are most appropriate for Santa Fe’s high desert environment.