ALBUQUERQUE BERNALILLO COUNTY
WATER UTILITY AUTHORITY
BILL NO. R-15-17 |
RESOLUTION
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Authorizing the Water Utility Authority to Submit an Application for Funding to the Water Trust Board for the Recharge Demonstration Project
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WHEREAS, the Recharge Demonstration Project will recharge up to 5,000 acre-feet of treated water through injection wells located at the Drinking Water Treatment Plant; and
WHEREAS, aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) is a water resources management tool that allows for conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water resources which can provide increased storage capacity to create a Ground-Water Drought Reserve; and
WHEREAS, the State Legislature found that "conjunctive use and administration of groundwater and surface water are essential to effective and efficient use of water supplies" and, further, that ASR can reduce declining groundwater levels, promote conservation of water, and lead to more efficient use of water; and
WHEREAS, this project is part of the Water Authority’s adopted 2007 Water Resources Management Strategy (WRMS) and complies with Policies B, C, F and G. Policy C of the WRMS specifically states that the “The Authority shall establish a groundwater drought reserve that maintains sufficient water in storage in the aquifer to provide water supply during a prolonged drought. Water levels in the aquifer shall be maintained so that a drought reserve shall be accessible without causing adverse, irreversible impacts to the aquifer”; and
WHEREAS, Policy C of the WRMS states, "the Authority shall take all necessary steps to protect and enhance the ground water drought reserve".
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE WATER AUTHORITY:
Section 1. That the Executive Director is authorized to submit an application to the Water Trust Board requesting funds for the Recharge Demonstration Project.