2019
2011
2000s
Projects, studies, and events of the past 70 years
2017
1960s
A BRIEF LOCAL HISTORY
Using
Reclaimed Water
1950s
2015
1990s
1980s
1950s
The City of Santa Fe first begins to use reclaimed water for turf irrigation. The Santa Fe River is the main source of supply for residents.
VIEW OF HYDROELECTRIC PLANT, CIRCA 1915
1940s
The Paseo Real Wastewater Treatment Plant – originally constructed in 1963 – now provides treated water suitable for reuse in irrigation and discharge to the Santa Fe River.
PASEO REAL WWTP/ SANTA FE REPORTER
1960s
SANTA FE MRC / ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL
Recognizing the important role that reclaimed water plays in meeting demands, the City conducts three studies to analyze reclaimed water use and first identifies “return flow credits” as a promising strategy.
1980s
ABIQUIU LAKE/ ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL
2000s
Reclaimed water distribution expands to additional sites and uses (livestock, landfills, more golf courses) and the 2008 Long-Range Water Supply Plan confirms the need to build a new pipeline to attain return flow credits.
2011
RIO CHAMA (2005)/ ALBUQUERQUE BERNALILLO COUNTY WATER UTILITY AUTHORITY
VIEW MAP
The Buckman Direct Diversion begins operation, channeling surface water to the City from the Colorado River (known as San Juan-Chama water), which flows into the Rio Grande via a tunnel under the Continental Divide.
SANTA FE RIVER/ SAVE WATER SANTA FE
2015
The Santa Fe Basin Study —a collaborative water planning effort by the City and County — predicts significant shortages in water supplies by the 2050s.
RECLAIMED WATER PUMP HOUSE AT PASEO REAL WRF
2017
The Water Reuse Feasibility Study considers environmental, economic, and societal factors in ranking options for using effluent to mitigate the projected water supply shortages, identifying San Juan-Chama water return flow credits as the City’s best option.
The City Council approves a resolution to develop a long-range water supply plan and to design and construct the 17-mile San Juan- Chama Return Flow Pipeline.
2019
SANTA FE RIVER/ SAVE WATER SANTA FE
1990s
MARTY SANCHEZ GOLF COURSE
Use of reclaimed water significantly expands as the City begins providing it to irrigate golf courses, soccer fields, baseball/softball fields, and other recreational spaces. The 1998 Treated Effluent Management Plan refines the potential return flow credits strategy.
CLOSE MAP