Santa Fe's long-standing water conservation and drought management programs are the best in the Southwest with respect to both comprehensiveness and effectiveness. A primary measure of Santa Fe's water conservation and drought management success is declining total annual water diversions to serve a growing number of customers.
The annual water diversions totaled 10,044 acre-feet in 2007, compared with 13,180 acre-feet in 1995, while the number of customers served by the Santa Fe municipal water utility increased to an estimated 78,764 people in 2007, from an estimated 67,839 people in 1995.
2004 Poster Contest Grand Prize Winner
Per Capita Water Demand
Sangre de Cristo Water customers reduced their water use by 40% from 1995 to 2007. The dedication to conserve water has been extraordinary, with per person usage dropping from 168 gallons per capita per day (gpcd) in 1995, to 101 gpcd by the end of 2007.
Santa Fe has achieved low per capita water demand levels through the implementation of a comprehensive set of ordinances that require Santa Fe's citizens and businesses comply with water conservation requirements designed to provide financial incentives to conserve water. These low per capita per day water production statistics are among the lowest in New Mexico and the Southwestern United States. [More Information...]
Water Conservation Incentive Programs
In an effort to conserve our present and future water supply, Sangre de Cristo Water offers several incentive programs to encourage water conservation. Rebates are available to Sangre de Cristo Water customers. [More information...]
Water Restrictions and Ordinances
The Santa Fe City Council adopted changes to the ordinance that regulates water use in the City of Santa Fe. On January 1, 2007, new Comprehensive Water Conservation Requirements went into effect adopting permanent conservation measures, revising the rate structure, and replacing Emergency Stages. [More information...]
Spring & Summer Water Restrictions
Time of day water restrictions are in effect for the months of May through October. All outdoor watering is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. This time of day represents the hottest and windiest portion of the day. Watering during hot and windy days will cause you to lose a significant amount of your water to evaporation and wind drift. The best time to water is in the early morning.
Education and Public Outreach
Water conservation education occurs on several levels; the Water Conservation Office sponsors in-school learning units, teacher training, adult education classes, brochures, and other public outreach. [More information...]
2009, Sixth Annual Children's Water Conservation Poster Contest [More information...]
2009 Poster Contest Grand Prize Winner Sam Connan, Santa Fe School for the Arts & Sciences, 5th Grade
Water Conservation Program Charge
On January 9, 2008 the Santa Fe City Council approved a new rate schedule establishing a special charge for all water service customers in order to fund water conservation programs. [More Information...]
Contact Information
Physical Address: Sangre de Cristo Water 801 W. San Mateo Road Santa Fe, NM 87505
Mailing Address: Sangre de Cristo Water Water Conservation Office PO Box 909 Santa Fe NM 87504-0909
