Frequently Asked Questions

Why conserve water?
Conservation is another way of increasing the available water supply and therefore helps sustain our water resources for the future.

Why is it important to conserve water in Santa Fe County?
Santa Fe County is located in a high desert environment.  It is estimated each year that more water is lost to evaporation than is gained by precipitation. In addition to this, Santa Fe County is highly susceptible to drought, and lacks the water resources many other cities enjoy. As you spend time in Santa Fe, you will notice the paucity of lakes, rain, and moisture in the air.

Where does the Santa Fe County Utility get its water from?
The County Utility currently receives its water from the City of Santa Fe, where it is bought wholesale and distributed to our customers. Many residents in Santa Fe County who do not receive water from the utility receive their drinking water from domestic wells.

How many customers does the County Utility have?
As of January 2008 the county utility has over 1,500 customers.

Where will future water supplies come from?
The County is a partner in the Buckman Direct Diversion. The County’s share of the water is 1,700 acre feet per year.

The water from the Buckman Direct Diversion comes from the Rio Grande but what happens when the Rio Grande is low?
The county is developing a conjunctive use strategy to off set the flows. This is a strategy for using both groundwater and surface water for drinking water supplies. The Rio Grande is used for most years this strategy allows wells to recover during those occasional times when the river is at low flow the wells can be used to supplement the water supply.

Does Santa Fe County have a water conservation plan?
The county water conservation program includes implementing ordinances, to help residents and commercial businesses conserve water. The county utility uses a tiered rate structure as its most effective water conservation technique.

How much water is 1 acre foot?1 acre foot of water equals 325,900 gallons.
*An acre-foot of water is enough to cover one acre of land one foot deep. 

Other water equivalents are:
1 cubic foot = 7.48 gallons = 62.4 pounds
100 cubic feet = 1 ccf (std. bill unit) = 748 gallons
1 acre-foot* = 43,560 cubic feet = 325,900 gallons
1 cubic foot per second (cfs) = 450 gallons per minute
1 cfs = 646,320 gallons per day
1 cfs for 24 hours = 1.983 acre-feet
1 cfs for 30 days = 59.5 acre-feet
1 cfs for one year = 724 acre-feet
1 million gallons = 3.07 acre feet
1 million gallons per day (mgd) = 1,120 acre feet per year
1000 gallons per minute = 2.23 cfs
1000 gallons per minute = 4.42 acre-feet per day
Metric equivalents
15 million gallons per day (mgd) = 56.775 megaliters pr day (ML/day)
1 acre = .004 square kilometers (km)
78,000 acres = 312 square kilometers (km)
120 square miles = 193.08 square kilometers
1 acre foot = 1.233 million liters = 1.233 megaliters 
1 ccf (one hundred cubic feet) or 748 gallons = 2832 liters = 2.832 cubic meters
250 miles = 402.25 kilometers
450 miles = 724.05 kilometers
At IRWD's rate of 98 cents per ccf, $1 will buy 763.27 gallons of water = 2888.4 liters or 2.89 cubic meters of water for $1 US
1 gallon per minute (gmp) = 3.78 liters per minute
1 pound per square inch (psi) = 0.07031 kg/sq. cm

What type of water saving devices can I put in my home?

• Low flow toilets (Download: low flow toilet fact sheet)
• Front loading washing machine
• Rain barrels for landscape irrigation
• Low flow showerheads
• Faucet aerators: These aerators help save water and money when installed in the kitchen or bathroom sink.
• Flow restrictors: These small discs can be used to reduce water flow if you wish to retain your current showerhead or sink aerator. Remove the existing aerator with a pair of pliers, using a cloth between the fixture and pliers to protect the finish. Place the flow restrictor disc in your aerator and thread it back onto the faucet.  Instant hot water devices
• Hot water recirculation devicesWhat type of water saving devices can I put in my home?

Why does the County require well meter readings?

Well meter readings are required by the county to determine if our natural resources are being depleted. Well meter readings gives the county an idea of aquifer levels and if new sources of drinking water are needed.

Where can I submit my well water meter readings?
The County is working on an electronic submittal of well water meter readings. For now you can download the form located under the domestic metering program, fill it out and either mail, fax or email it.

Mail: P.O. Box 276- 102 Grant Ave. Santa Fe, NM 87504-0276
Fax: 505.986.6389

Where can I buy rainwater barrels? 

Many local nurserys in Santa Fe County carry rainwater barrels. Using water from rainwater barrels offers a way to water landscaping without utilizing potable water.

Why is it important to conserve water in Santa Fe County?

What can YOU do to help conserve water?