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New Mexico is a desert state where water is a precious commodity. All communities—plant, animal, and human—need water for their survival. Unfortunately, a failure to conserve these supplies, pollution, population growth, drought and irresponsible development are putting our already limited water supplies in jeopardy.

We are now at a crossroads. Instead of investing in more and more expensive pipelines at taxpayer expense, we should turn to efficiency, conservation and work to stop unplanned and unsustainable development that threatens our water supplies.

If New Mexico wants water for future generations we need to manage our state’s most precious resource now. We need to act now to manage New Mexico’s water in a way that balances use with a renewable supply. Environment New Mexico is urging state leaders to pass laws that safeguard our water for future generations.

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Brief Summary

New Mexico’s water is a precious commodity, yet the state of New Mexico’s water supply is precarious. The state’s aquifers are overpumped, leaving some in serious decline. Surface water is already fully appropriated. Drought conditions persist throughout much of the Southwest. And a failure to leave water in our streams and rivers threatens New Mexico’s wildness and the vast recreational opportunities natural, flowing rivers provide.

New Mexico’s population is on track to increase by more than 15 percent by 2030. As a result, increased development in areas where there are few protections and little water threatens to overwhelm New Mexico’s water resources.

At the same time, New Mexico water users—municipal, industrial, and agricultural—are not doing all they can to maximize this resource through efficiency and pollution renders countless gallons of water undrinkable.

New Mexico needs policies that plan for the future, so that we have enough water to meet future demand. We need to balance our water use with a renewable supply and protect New Mexico’s waters from contamination, while ensuring that our natural environment is protected.

In order for New Mexico to ensure that water will be available for future generations, we must:

Conserve Our Water Resources- We must balance our water use with a renewable supply by focusing growth where there is a sustainable amount of water and by planning for future use.

Preserve Our Natural Environment- We must keep enough water in our rivers and streams to support recreation and wildlife—integral parts of New Mexico’s natural heritage and quality of life.

Maintain a Local Supply of Water- We must use local groundwater supplies in a sustainable manner to protect the environment and local economies.

Use Our Water Efficiently- We must ensure that all sectors of our economy use water wisely, by adopting statewide water efficiency standards.

Maintain Water Quality- We must reduce and prevent water pollution as a key strategy for addressing the scarcity of this resource.