Ground Water Monitoring
Ground water is a valuable resource in New Mexico. To help protect this vital resource, Bernalillo County provides monitoring at several sites throughout the County. These sites are located in areas containing parks and open spaces, landfills, agricultural fields, and arroyos. The County currently samples approximately 80 wells and 10 storm drains to collect data on the health of our water resources.
Results from sampling at these locations is shared with other agencies, such as Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority (AMAFCA), the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD), and the City of Albuquerque (CABQ), to assist in determining needs and showing the effectiveness of current programs, such as the Partners in Improving and Protecting the Environment (PIPE) program. Information collected during sampling is also used in tracking groundwater elevation to evaluate the availability of our water resources.
Programs
Groundwater Use in Bernalillo County
Updated October 15, 2005
Based on a survey for Bernalillo County Environmental Health Department in 2002, 48 percent of the homes in unincorporated portions of Bernalillo County obtain water from private individual wells, and 11 percent obtain water from shared wells. Community-systems supply approximately 40 percent of those surveyed. However, the statistics also indicated that the well use varies between the East Mountains, the Sandia Foothills, and the North Valley and the South Valley.
Results of Survey: Water Systems Used in Bernalillo County Homes
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Individual Well Systems
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Well Share
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Community System
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Don’t Know
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Totals
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East Mountains
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180
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56
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208
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13
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457
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39.4%
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12.3%
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45.5%
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2.8%
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100%
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Sandia Foothills
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136
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93
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411
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14
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654
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20.8%
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14.2%
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62.8%
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2.1%
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100%
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North Valley
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67
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3
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3
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2
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75
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89.3
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4.0%
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4.0%
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2.7%
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100%
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South Valley
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374
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17
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10
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3
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404
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92.6
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4.2%
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2.5%
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0.7%
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100%
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Total
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757
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169
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632
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32
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1590
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47.6%
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10.6%
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39.7%
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2.0%
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100.0%
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From: Perceptions of Water Quality and Supply in the Unincorporated Areas of Bernalillo
County (Table 4.1). Prepared for BCEHD by UNM Bureau of Business and
Economic Research, June 2002
Individual water wells and shared wells are permitted by the Bernalillo County Environmental Health Department (BCHED) under the provisions of the Individual Well System Ordinance (Chapter 42, Division 11). Domestic well permits are also required by the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer (OSE). Community systems are regulated by the NMED Drinking Water Bureau. Bernalillo County well users can help protect their own water supply by ensuring that septic systems and water wells are properly designed and maintained.
Because of the dependence on groundwater from individual and shared wells, Bernalillo County has a number of programs and projects that address groundwater resource issues. Most of these programs arise out of the Ground-Water Protection Policy and Action Plan (GPPAP), which is a joint County-City plan to protect groundwater and surface water resources. Other programs are a result of public health concerns, federal mandates, other regulations, and concerns about regional water issues. Bernalillo County monitors several sites throughout the County and works through cooperative agreements with other agencies to ensure on-going County-wide monitoring efforts
On-Going Groundwater Monitoring Programs
Groundwater monitoring occurs throughout Bernalillo County. Groundwater monitoring programs are currently conducted both individually and jointly between Bernalillo County, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and the City of Albuquerque (CABQ). Bernalillo County Public Works has the responsibility under the GPPAP for monitoring in the unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County. Bernalillo County Public Works is preparing a water data summary report for wells located in the unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County. As part of the regional network, CABQ monitors 13 shallow wells and 48 deep regional wells. The USGS monitors water levels and water quality at numerous sites throughout the Albuquerque area and throughout New Mexico.
Regional Groundwater Monitoring
Regional groundwater monitoring wells have been installed with the intent of long-term monitoring of both water level and water quality. Data collected from these wells assists in determining the effects of land-use, regional groundwater withdrawals, and the understanding of the availability and reliability of groundwater resources in unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County. Beginning in 1997, the BCEHD initiated installation of 10 regional groundwater monitoring wells in cooperation with the OSE, USGS, and the CABQ. An additional 6 monitoring wells were installed in un-sewered areas of the county to assess the impacts of septic system use. As a part of the County reorganization, responsibility for monitoring and annual sampling of these 16 wells shifted to the Water Resources program. Results of the sampling to date are available from the Water Data Summary Report (in preparation).
Bernalillo County monitors wells in
The East Mountain Area
The Northeast Heights
The South Valley
The West Mesa
The Pajarito Mesa
All Monitored Bernalillo County Wells
East Mountain Area Groundwater Monitoring
Through a joint agreement, Bernalillo provides funding and technical input to support on-going USGS groundwater meteorological and groundwater monitoring activities in the East Mountain Area. The funding provides for collection of water level data and sampling at approximately 31 water wells located throughout the East Mountain area. This effort is an extension of efforts of the BCHED to identify areas in the East Mountains that had been impacted from individual septic systems.
Landfill Monitoring
Water resources staff annually samples a groundwater well (SBLF-4) and methane monitoring wells related to the County’s regulatory responsibility to monitor a portion of the closed South Broadway Landfill. Per the requirements of the approved post-closure plan, an annual report is prepared jointly with the CABQ and submitted to the NMED Solid Waste Division.
Groundwater Management and Planning
Local and Regional Water Planning Participation
Groundwater Protection Advisory Board / Policy Implementation Committee
Water Resources staff provide input and review of joint County/City water issues and changes in state regulations through participation on the Policy Implementation Committee of the Groundwater Protection Advisory Board
Middle Rio Grande Council of Governments
Water Resources staff participate in the Middle Rio Grande water-planning activities and on the Water Resources Board of the Mid-Region Council of Governments.
Estancia Basin Water Planning Committee
The Estancia Basin Water Planning Committee is a three county water-planning endeavor between Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Torrance Counties formed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The County participates in water-planning processes for those portions of Estancia Basin affecting the water supply for the eastern third of Bernalillo County.
Water Rights Acquisitions and Holdings
Bernalillo County, through its various property acquisitions, possesses both surface water and groundwater rights. Water Resources staff provide technical support in reviewing available maps and records to identify acquired properties that may have associated water rights, and during support activities to other departments notifies the County Legal Department of current water rights status.
Targeted Studies
Agricultural Waste Impact Monitoring Program
This program was initiated by the BCHED and was transferred to the Water Resources program as part of the County reorganization. In addition to groundwater monitoring at 18 wells positioned at three transects in the South Valley and associated canals and drains, the program scope includes developing a catalog of agricultural activities within the County including developing and inventory of water diversion rights, crop production, and estimated pesticide and herbicide use. This program was implemented with cooperation of the Middle Rio Grande Conservation District (MRGCD), and sampling points are located on MRGCD properties located along Rio Bravo Boulevard and Malapais Road. The groundwater monitoring program complements activities conducted by the USGS, and reported in Estimation of Hydraulic Characteristics in the Santa Fe Group Aquifer System Using Computer Simulations of River and Drain Pulses in the Rio Bravo Study Area, near Albuquerque, New Mexico (USGS WRIR 01-4069).
Support to Other County Departments
Planning
Review of Major Subdivision Applications and Master Plans
In cooperation with the BCHED, Planning and Zoning, and Development Review, the Water Resources staff routinely reviews information provided by the major subdivision applicants with respect to demonstrating sufficient water rights, ensuring an adequate water supply system, and as needed, evaluating geohydrologic reports used to demonstrate sustainability of a 70-year supply.
Area Planning
The Water Resources Staff provides technical assistance to the County’s area planners with regard to assessing groundwater availability, community water systems, and vulnerability of groundwater to contamination. This regulatory process assists in the allocation, conservation and management of water resources and comprehensive area planning.
Facilities and Properties Support
County-Owned Water Systems
The County, through use of wells at County-owned facilities, operates five “water supply systems”. County-owned wells are used to provide water at the Whispering Pines Senior Center, Altamont Little League Fields, Pajarito Senior Meal Site, Los Padillas Community Center and Health Center, and at the Los Padillas Pool. Water Resources is providing the responsible departments with technical support in evaluation, registration and ensuring initial compliance of the systems with the NMED regulation. Public Works has coordinated contracting services with a Certified Water Operator to ensure these systems are in compliance.
Property Acquisitions / Property Access
As requested by other County Departments, Water Resources staff provides review of contamination hazard, water quality, and water availability information prior to property acquisitions. Water Resources staff supports County-funded infrastructure projects through coordination with the various NMED divisions responsible for oversight of work at contaminated sites. Additionally, Water Resources staff provides coordination for access to County properties for the installation of groundwater wells by the USGS or other interested entities.
County-Owned Wells
In addition to the County-owned water systems, the County owns and utilizes wells at other facilities including various fire stations and facilities in the East Mountains. Water Resources staff is responsible for reviewing well records, addressing water rights issues, and providing vulnerability assessments for these wells. Water Resources staff also provides support in interactions and requests from the OSE for additional information and filings. As warranted, these wells are made available to the USGS for monitoring purposes. As requested, Water Resources staff also provides review of well construction plans and recommendations, and provides technical resources to project engineers and construction inspectors.
Parks and Recreation / Open-Space
Water resources staff provides a technical resource for Parks and Recreation staff pertaining to groundwater and spring flow conditions. Water resources staff is currently providing support for:
Carlito Springs
Parks and Recreation staff are currently planning baseline environmental and potential impact studies. Water Resources staff is providing technical assistance with groundwater and springflow issues and is coordinating these studies with regional investigations by the USGS. Current efforts are focused on determining spring flow rates and monitoring of a well installed as part of a previous Brownfields assessment grant.
Durand Open Space
Two monitoring wells were installed and surface water samples have been collected as part of a Brownfield’s Assessment Grant.
Telephone Contacts
Ground-Water Protection Advisory Board
Phone: (505) 768-3634
Bernalillo County Water Resources
Phone: (505) 848-1500
Bernalillo County Environmental Health Department
Phone: (505) 314-0310
United States Geological Survey
Water Resources Division
Phone: (505) 830-7947
New Mexico Office of the State Engineer
Phone: (505) 764-3888
New Mexico Environment Department
Drinking Water Bureau
Phone: 1–877–654-8720
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