During the drought of the past few years the water level in the aquifer under Albuquerque, New Mexico has dropped as much 150 feet.  This is dangerously close to conditions that will cause soil subsidence over a large area of the city.    Cities such as Houston, Tucson and Las Vegas already have  subsidence caused by water depletion from formations under those cities.  As soil subsides extensive damage is experienced by homes, roads, utilities and industry. Water quality is also declining in Albuquerque.

Until recently, the aquifer has been Albuquerque’s sole source of drinking water.  Only recently (1993) did studies show that much less water was available from the aquifer than originally predicted by geologists.  This has been proven by the recent drought.  The objective of the water strategy is to reduce pumping from the aquifer and provide surface water in sufficient quantity for several generations to come.

Rio Grande River water must be preserved to assure the survival of the Rio Grande silvery minnow – an endangered species - and is not available to the city.  (The Rio Grande River has its headwaters in the Colorado Rockies and flows through downtown Albuquerque enroute to Texas and the Gulf of Mexico - somehow Texas gets none of this water)

Water from the San Juan and Chama Rivers  in Colorado flows into the Colorado River and on to the Pacific Ocean.  Part of New Mexico's   Colorado River water allocation is being sold to Albuquerque for consumption and water storage.  To do this tunnels were built to divert San Juan/Chama river water into a reservoir in the Rio Grande water shed at a cost to the city of $42 million dollars.   Colorado River water is compensation for Rio Grande River water used to protect the endangered minnow.

By law the San Juan/ Chama River water cannot be used to protect endangered species.

Part of the San Juan/Chama River water will be used to recharge the aquifer under Albuquerque to maintain a water level that will guarantee water to the city during a projected 10 year drought when San Juan water is scarce.  Some meteorologist believe such a long term drought may have started.

This long term water strategy includes full time conservation such as recycling, extensive use of xeriscape, surcharges for excessive water use, fines for water waste, and other measures common in other cities only during a drought.  The goal is 30 percent conservation by 2005 with awareness that this may have to be increased further.