Our Water, Our Future, The Next Challenge

A town hall on the use of the San Juan-Chama water diversion will be held from on April 20 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Albuquerque Convention Center, East Wing.

About half the water pumped from the underground aquifer for Albuquerque residents and businesses is not replaced.

To preserve the aquifer and ensure a safe and sustainable water supply, the City is diversifying water sources and in a few years will begin withdrawing its San Juan/Chama water allocation from the Rio Grande for use as drinking water.

The purpose of the town hall is to involve the community in a dialogue on how to:

• Prepare for the transition from groundwater to river water sources.

• Examine environmental impacts of the preferred withdrawal method.

• Identify potential environmental enhancements.

• Ensure a sustainable, high quality water supply.

The town hall will include:

• Expert presentations and evaluations of river water collection methods and sites.

• Public input on desired drinking water quality.

• Information about other communities with similar challenges.

• Discussion groups by participants on strategies for withdrawing and using the San Juan/Chama water.

Presentations will be given regarding the adopted water strategy, history and background on how it was developed, where we are now and what remains to be done.

Presentations will review the drinking water project, including alternative methods for diversion, purification, and distribution.

Reasons for selection of the preferred alternative will be presented. A panel of stakeholders will discuss concerns related to the proposed method of withdrawing the imported San Juan/Chama water, considering the environmental impacts, enhancements, water quality issues, and other alternatives.

Speakers from El Paso and Tucson will describe their experiences
in withdrawing and treating river water, problems that occurred, what measure are being taken, and how Albuquerque might learn from these communities.

Facilitated breakout groups will then meet to evaluate pros and cons of the preferred alternative and develop strategies for water quality and environmental enhancement to be incorporated.