Water Rights Administration for Aquifer Replenishment Projects in New Mexico

Two of the largest cities in New Mexico, Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, are located in the Middle Rio Grande (MRG) Basin where water supplies are considered to be fully appropriated. Local water providers have consistently identified managed aquifer recharge (MAR) and aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) as important tools to provide conjunctive management of surface water, groundwater, and reclaimed water sources in order to extend the useful life of existing water sources. However, MAR and ASR projects have been slow to take root partly due to rigorous demonstration requirements, groundwater quality protection concerns, and ongoing water right uncertainties. The administration of water rights is implemented through utilization of the MRG Administrative Guidelines established by the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer in September 2000. When these guidelines were promulgated, MAR and ASR projects within Albuquerque and Rio Rancho were not underway, and the management of water rights and water rights administration associated with projects of this nature is not specifically addressed in the guidelines. Changes in surface water return flows and impacts to other water users during recovery of the stored water must be considered. This talk will discuss permitting aspects of MAR and ASR projects as they relate to water rights administration in the MRG Basin and through extension other locations in New Mexico where stream-connected aquifer systems occur.