From Scarcity to Sustainability: New Mexico�s Vision for Water Reuse

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From Scarcity to Sustainability: New Mexico’s Vision for Water Reuse

To be sent by Environment Department Deputy Cabinet Secretary Sydney Lienemann

As a lifelong advocate for bold action to address the climate crisis and a state employee tasked with helping to build a more resilient New Mexico , I know how we plan for and preserve our water resources today is essential for our future. In New Mexico, a state known for its breathtaking landscapes and arid climate, water is not merely a resource but the lifeblood of our communities and homegrown industries such as ranching and farming. As the regulators for the quality of our state’s waters, we take our responsibility to protect human health and the environment seriously and are putting forward solutions to address the challenges of climate change and drought.

Protecting our water future isn’t just about preventing leaks, it’s also about getting every drop of value out of every drop of water to reduce the burden on our fresh, potable water resources. Water reuse is a critical component of building a thriving New Mexico for the next 50 years and beyond.

The truth is that New Mexicans see the benefits of water reuse every day . Treated domestic wastewater keeps golf courses green, crops irrigated, and drinking water in your home. In fact, whenever you see a purple water pipe at a city park, that pipe is transporting treated reused domestic wastewater . Those purple pipes are responsible for irrigating more than 15,000 acres of parks, landsca ping and cropland using domestic wastewater and through permits issued by NMED.

Most recently, NMED has developed draft rules for water reuse , including creating safeguards to test and develop new treatments for produced water—water that is a byproduct of oil and gas extraction . These draft rules encourage closed-loop use of treated, produced water for things like solar manufacturing or renewable hydrogen generation, so long as not a drop of that produced water is released to the ground. These types of projects will also further research on how we can clean up contaminated water from all sources, not just oil and gas.

But NMED’s proposed rules go beyond looking at what uses are appropriated for reused water, they also close a loophole that could have allowed the federal government the ability to issue a discharge permit for produced water in New Mexico . NMED’s rules will ensure that the decision on what water to discharge to our precious streams, rivers, and groundwater will live here, in New Mexico , and not in Washington, D.C.

There is considerable misinformation and fearmongering about the proposed regulations being circulated by groups, especially surrounding produced water. Let me be very clear -- NMED will not allow produced water, treated or otherwise, to be released into our rivers, lakes, or groundwater. Our proposed water reuse rules are designed to protect our water, crops, and communities by creating strong prohibitions on produced water use . NMED's commitment to ensuring that New Mexico has clean, protected water supplies is unwavering, and this proposed rule is a testament to that commitment.

The Water Quality Control Commission (“WQCC”) is holding a public hearing on the Ground and Surface Water Protection—Supplemental Requirements for Water Reuse (20.6.8 NMAC) beginning May 13 in Room 317 at the State Capitol. Your presence at the hearing is crucial as it allows you to witness the hard work being done by NMED to ensure the future protection of water supplies and the precious water supplies we have right now. For more information, visit https://www.env.nm.gov/opf/water-quality-control-commission/ .