Partnership Projects
Tools and Resources for Source Water Protection
The Drinking Water Bureau collaborates with other New Mexico agencies and organizations by providing funding and staff expertise for various tools, studies, reports, and plans – all to support effective source water protection.
Regional Issues and Planning
Animas River (Post Gold King Mine release)
- New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (funded by NMED Drinking Water Bureau)
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In response to August 5, 2015 Gold King Mine release of metal and sludge-laden water into Cement Creek and the Animas River
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Hydrologic assessment of the Animas River and its nearby alluvial aquifer in New Mexico, from the Colorado state line to Farmington, NM; evaluate possible effects of release on shallow groundwater near Animas River
Eastern Plains
A Hydrologic Investigation of Curry and Roosevelt Counties, New Mexico (G. Rawling, 2016)
- New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (funded by NMED Drinking Water Bureau)
- Part of regional Source Water Protection Plan developed with Eastern Plains Council of Governments
- Technical review of existing hydrogeology studies; update information on region’s groundwater availability
Eastern Tularosa Basin
Brackish Water Assessment in the Eastern Tularosa Basin, New Mexico (B. Talon Newton, 2016)
- New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (funded by NMED Drinking Water Bureau)
- Report describes efforts by the NMBGMR to assess the spatial distribution of groundwater salinity in the Tularosa Basin
- Assess potential drinking water supply for communities in the Tularosa Basin, including Tularosa and Alamogordo
- Compile and review existing water chemistry data in area to assess spatial distribution of groundwater salinity; address data gaps; & assess fresh and brackish water resources
South Eastern NM
- The Feasibility of Utilizing Produced Water to Improve Drinking Water Supply in Southeastern NM (A. Fernald, R. Sabie, Jr.; 2016)
- New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute (partly funded by NMED Drinking Water Bureau)
- In cooperation with the Petroleum Recover Research Center at NM Tech, LANL, NMEMNRD, Artisia Agricultural Science Center, & NMSU
- Address data gaps and gain additional information for stakeholders and users of produced water
Village of Peña Blanca
Hydrogeologic Framework of the Village of Peña Blanca, New Mexico (A. Rinehart, 2016)
- New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (funded by NMED Drinking Water Bureau)
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Project goal to understand local hydrogeology of Peña Blanca to make a recommendation for new well placement
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Groundwater level measurements collected; sampled water chemistry in 25 municipal and domestic wells in area
Source Water Protection Atlas – NOW part of NMED EnviroMap
The Source Water Protection Atlas has been joined with other NMED mapping tools to create the NMED EnviroMap. There are additional data layers that provide access to hydrogeologic data, potential sources of contamination, and information that may impact drinking water sources, which support systems’ updating of their source water assessments. This tool does not replace an onsite survey of the protection area, but provides information that may be difficult to observe on site. Data layers are from a variety of sources including NMED programs and other organizations such as USGS and NM Bureau of Geology, many of which are live-linked and updated regularly.
Tool for Mapping Contaminants: Source Water Protection Atlas
Bibliography of New Mexico Geologic Publications
New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources (partly funded by NMED Drinking Water Bureau)
NMBGMR maintains an online bibliography of geologic and hydrologic information relevant to New Mexico. This Bibliography contains records of more than 7,000 citations related to NM hydrogeology. Bibliographic data from 1988 onward has been compiled directly into this database and indexed by Keywords, County, Formation, and Time Period. This is a valuable tool for public water systems and communities searching for information on the hydrogeology of their source water protection area. Includes references from USGS and NM Water Resources Research Institute.
Bibliography of New Mexico Geologic & Hydrologic Publications
Other Resources from our Partners
NM Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources – Link to other statewide and regional hydrogeologic projects in New Mexico
NM Rural Water Association – Link to website with resources, training, and other information
