For Immediate Release
February 14, 2013
Contact: Rick Carpenter
505-955-4206
505-660-5696
SANTA FE MONITORING and PREPARING FOR 3RD CONSECUTIVE YEAR OF DROUGHT
SANTA FE– City water resource managers and decision-makers have been monitoring the drought conditions for the past two years. City water resources staff has kept up to date on the recent snowpack, reservoir levels and adverse weather conditions. According to Brian K. Snyder, Public Utilities Department and Water Utility Division Director, “The City has prepared planning documents, ordinances and operations plans for dealing with drought and over the past two years we have been implementing these strategies. Water conservation and drought awareness are cornerstones of the City’s comprehensive water planning approach, drought or no drought.”
The City has invested in a robust and diverse mixture of surface and ground water supply sources: Buckman well field, City well field, Canyon Road Water Treatment Plant on the Upper Santa Fe River, and the Buckman Direct Diversion on the Rio Grande. These water sources are supplemented by reclaimed wastewater reuse and water conservation. In case federal Bureau of Reclamation San Juan-Chama Project water is curtailed, the City also has several years’ worth of San Juan-Chama Project water stored in reservoirs. By resting the aquifer over the last 4 years there is increased groundwater supply for use in times of drought and the City can avail itself of this resource in a sustainable manner.
The City of Santa Fe is prepared for a third consecutive year of severe drought and heat. Should the drought conditions significantly worsen over the coming year, the City can invoke strategies to provide short-term relief from temporary drought-related water supply shortages, including mandatory water restrictions for certain types of water use.
Thanks to all of our customers that have used water wisely over the past 15 years, making more water available in times of drought. City policy makers are asking the community to continue to use water wisely. Weather predictions show this drought continuing through the summer. Santa Fe can continue to be a drought-ready community and reduce the effects of a drought by taking advantage of rebates and incentives, installing water-saving devices, fixing leaks and following indoor and outdoor water use requirements.
For more information about water conservation in Santa Fe, including the Water Conservation and Drought Management Plan, residential and commercial rebate programs, and outdoor/indoor water use requirements, please visit www.santafenm.gov/waterconservation
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Note to Editor: Sidebar Information Included.
Santa Fe’s average daily use is 107 gallons per person per day which is substantially lower than the national average of about 150 gallons. Santa Fe has achieved its low use numbers through the implementation of a comprehensive set of ordinances that require Santa Fe’s citizens and businesses comply with water conservation requirements designed to provide financial incentives to conserve water.
Water Conservation Tips:
- Sweep patios, driveways and sidewalks; never hose off paved surfaces.
- Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes.
- Take quick showers and use low-flow showerheads.
- Turn off the faucet for teeth brushing.
- Don’t let the water run to “heat it up.”
- Look for leaks inside and out and fix them.
- Use a irrigation calculator to create a water-saving irrigation schedule. The calculator at http://wuc.ose.state.nm.us/irrcalc/ is designed for our local climate.
- Use a sprinkler controller that adjusts watering based on weather.
- Take advantage of the City of Santa Fe rebates for water-saving fixtures and appliance at www.santafenm.gov/waterconservation