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Last Modified: 02/2003
  
    

New Mexico
Water
Conservation
Program
    
  Introduction
    
  Program Objectives
    
  Education and Public Information
    
  Technical Assistance, Research, and Demonstration
    
  Policy Development
    
  You Can Make a Difference
    
  WaterWise Building
    
  Water Conservation Calendar of Events
    
  Water Conservation Hot Topics
    
  Frequently Asked Questions
    
  Drought Planning
    
  New Mexico Water Conservation Alliance
    
  Other Water Conservation Web Sites
    
    
For more information contact:

Office of the State Engineer
Water Conservation Program
P.O. Box 25102
Santa Fe, NM 87504
Phone: 1-800-WATER-NM
Fax: 505-827-3813
email: waternm@ose.state.nm.us
    
    
Water Conservation
Web Page by: Brent Pearce,
and the Water Use and Conservation Bureau
Office of the State Engineer
January 2001
    
   
  
 
New Mexico Water Conservation Program
 
Office of the State Engineer/Interstate Stream Commission
 

Agua Action
A Guide to Water Conservation in New Mexico

Agua Action

Topics

Think Water!

      Take a second to think about the water situation in New Mexico. There isn't much water here, but our thirst for it is growing every day. Increasing population, water pollution and rising water costs are stressing the ability of the state's water resources to meet our expanding needs. We all must learn to use water more efficiently. It may be easier than you think - just follow some of these water efficient practices, and you'll not only be using less water, but also reducing your water and energy bills.

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Inside Agua Action

Bathroom:
  • Install a low-flow toilet. You'll save two to five gallons of water each time you flush. And try flushing the toilet less. It's not always necessary to flush after every use.

  • Use less water with each flush. Fill a one-quart plastic bottle with water, cap it, and place it in a corner of the toilet tank. This displaces some of the water in the tank and reduces the amount of water used in flushing. Don't use bricks; they deteriorate in the water and can damage the toilet.

  • Install a low-flow showerhead. You can reduce the flow of water from the usual 8 to 10 gallons per minute down to 2.5 gallons or even less.

  • Keep showers short. Try taking showers "The Cowboy Way." Because water is scarce out here on the range, try turning the water off while shampooing and soaping and turning it back on to rinse off.

  • Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving. Use a partially filled sink or a glass for rinsing.

  • Repair leaks in faucets and pipes. A slow, steady drip can waste 15 to 20 gallons per day; a faster drip, 100 gallons or more. Many leaks can be repaired with an inexpensive washer.

Kitchen and Laundry:

 

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Don't Be a Drip - Save a Drop

ACTIVITY IF EACH
PERSON SAVES:		 NEW MEXICO
MIGHT SAVE:
Shorten your shower
to 5 minutes		 25 gallons per day 37.5 million gallons per day
Turn off faucet each time
you brush your teeth		 6 gallons per day 9 million gallons per day *
Install a 1.6-gallon toilet 16 gallons per day 24 million gallons per day

*   More than enough water to supply the city of Carlsbad for a day.

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Are You a Water Whiz?

      Looking at how water is used inside the home may help you decide where to direct your water saving efforts.

USE PERCENT OF TOTAL
Toilets 33%
Showers 21%
Baths 9%
Washing Machine 22%
Dishwasher 3%
Faucets 12%

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Outside Agua Action

  • Don't overwater. Water only when plants need it and then water slowly and deeply. Landscaping can account for about half of a household's water use.

  • Water during the early morning or late evening. Avoid watering on windy days to reduce water lost to evaporation.

  • Avoid watering the sidewalk and driveway. Position sprinklers so that the water lands only on the landscaped area.

  • Place a layer of mulch around trees and plants. Mulching helps reduce evaporation and keeps the soil moist longer.

  • Convert your lawn to a less-thirsty native grass such as Buffalo Grass.

  • Don't leave water hoses running carelessly. Use a shut-off nozzle or timer as insurance.

  • Install a water-efficient irrigation system, such as a drip system which delivers water directly to the plants.

  • Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks.

  • Use a pail of soapy water and a hose with a shut-off nozzle to wash your car.

  • Check and repair leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets and couplings. Outside leaks can be extremely wasteful, especially when they occur in your main water line. To check for hidden leaks in your pipes, shut off all faucets and taps around the house for 15 minutes. If the water meter shows some movement during that time, you have a leak.

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Think Color!

      A water conserving landscape doesn't have to consist of cacti and gravel. It can be green and colorful, but still use very little water. Visit your local nursery and ask for attractive water-wise plants and grasses like Blue Flax, yarrow, Woods Rose, wheatgrass and penstemons.

   

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Water, Water everywhere, but ...

  • Nearly two-thirds of the earth's surface may be covered with water, but 97 percent of it is salty or other-wise undrinkable. Another two percent is locked in ice caps and glaciers. That leaves just one percent for all of humanity's needs - agriculture, manufacturing, recreation and household needs.

  • About 90 percent of New Mexico's communities depend on ground water for their drinking water supply. In some parts of the state we're taking it out faster than the earth can replenish it.

  • New Mexicans use more than 4 million acre-feet of water per year for everything including agriculture, industry and domestic use. That's nearly 1 million gallons of water per person.

    If we each could save a few gallons today, we could help guarantee a healthy and abundant water supply for tomorrow. Do your part -

    THINK WATER!

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Contact

For more information on water conservation, call:


Office of the State Engineer
Water Conservation Program
1-800-WATER-NM
      (1-800-928-3766) Go To Top