Unconventional Sources of Water for New Mexico: Opportunities and Constraints

Type:

Miscellaneous Report

Date published

September 2025

Author:

Bruce Thomson

Abstract:

Decreasing supplies and increasing demand for fresh water have led to consideration of unconventional sources of water to meet the needs of New Mexico. Unconventional sources include: wastewater reuse, stormwater capture and reuse, desalination of brackish groundwater, and desalination of produced water from oil and gas production. The principal challenges associated with these sources include the following.

Reusing wastewater will reduce its discharge, which will affect downstream deliveries and may impact a community’s water rights. New Mexico does not have regulations governing potable or non-potable reuse, although there are guidelines for non-potable reuse.

Stormwater capture and use requires a water right, except for on-site capture. Capturing runoff in existing reservoirs requires reconstructing stormwater dams and enlarging reservoir volumes, which may not be feasible in urban watersheds.

Pumping groundwater from deep (greater than 2,500 ft) brackish aquifers does not require a water right although shallower groundwater development does. The challenges of developing brackish groundwater are significant. Furthermore, impacts on other groundwater resources must be considered.

Large volumes of produced water are generated by oil and gas production. Its treatment and use does not require a water right, but its salinity averages three times that of seawater. Large-scale desalination has not yet been demonstrated but research suggests it is feasible; thus, it may constitute a future source of fresh water.

Keywords:

Wastewater reuse, stormwater capture, brackish groundwater resources, produced water reuse

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