How much water is being pumped from the aquifers and used?
In 2005, 186 million gallons (Mgal/yr or 570 afy) was pumped from the wells and approximately 174 Mgal/yr was used by customers. In 2006, 174 Mgal/yr (533 afy) was pumped and approximately 164 Mgal/yr was used. Currently, water is being pumped at 170 to 180 Mgal/yr rates and used at approximately 150 Mgal/yr rates. The 10 to 25 Mgal/yr difference between pumping volumes and use volumes is the ‘unaccounted losses’, which includes water lost during fire hydrant flushing and testing, older meters reading ‘low’, and leaks. Currently, the unaccounted losses range between 10% and 15%, which is below the typical range for systems of this size in New Mexico. Currently, with new Well #17, for summer operation when tank levels cannot be maintained, the managed, sustained pumping capacity is 710 kgal/day, which is minimally adequate for all but the hottest days of summer. However, good operating practice of managing wells to allow routine and regular periods of ‘rest and recovery’ would indicate
