Water Restrictions & Emergencies

DROUGHT MANAGEMENT
The Santa Fe area is located in a high desert environment.  It is likely that from time to time, drought or semi-drought conditions will exist.  Heavy use of water for landscaping during hot, dry periods can result in an unusually high demand on water services, and this peak use can strain system capacity.  During these times it is necessary for EAWSD and water users to cooperate in a program which will limit the dangers and inconveniences of water shortages.

The District has in place a Water Alert Management Plan (WAMP), which includes three stages with increasing restrictions on water use:

a) "Normal Stage" -  in effect at all times when other stages are not in effect. Standard water conservation steps are recommended.

b) "Water Alert Stage 1" - in effect when there is a strong expectation that there will soon be insufficient precipitation to meet outdoor water usage and/or that the District occasionally may not be able to produce water at the same rate it is being consumed.  

• Signs are posted at subdivision entrances, the Eldorado Community Center, and the Agora shopping center.
• Adhere to odd/even watering that restricts watering to 3 days per week.
• Postpone new outdoor planting until Stage 1 is lifted.
• Turn off all decorative water devices.
• Do not add water from your home to swimming pools, spas, ponds, etc.
• Reduce watering of recreation fields.

The District can impose these or other restrictions as deemed appropriate in the event of conditions that appear to threaten the adequacy of the water supply.

c) "Water Alert Stage 2" - in effect when, for an extended period, the District cannot produce water to meet consumption or when water storage declines to dangerous levels and they cannot be restored to safe levels.  Additional conservation measures imposed under Water Alert Stage 2 are:

• Do not wash vehicles.
• Adhere to odd/even watering that restricts watering to 1 day per week.
• Suspend watering of recreation fields.

The District can impose any or all of these limitations as mandatory conditions of water use during a serious drought. Water restrictions under Stage 1 and Stage 2 are detailed in the Water Alert Management Plan (WAMP).

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:  BOIL WATER NOTICES
Usually, Boil Water Notices are issued when there is a possibility of bacterial contamination within the water system. All affected customers are notified when a boil water notice is issued.

What does the District do if we issue a Boil Water Notice?
EAWSD uses some or all of the following notification methods, depending on the size of the affected area. We may hand deliver notices door to door, or leave a small sign near the driveway, as well as post large signs at entrances to the affected area.  Local newspapers, radio, and television stations may be notified, and announcements will be posted on this web site. We also notify the New Mexico Environment Department with every occurrence.

Many times a Boil Water Notice is issued owing to a line break. In case of a line break, repairing the break is of highest priority. Following repair, we flush the lines and collect bacteriological samples to check for possible contamination. When the lab results show that the water meets standards of safety, we then issue a Discontinue Boil Water Notice using the same methods listed above.

What does the water user do if there is a Boil Water Notice?
The New Mexico Environment Department has issued very clear instructions about what do to in case of a Boil Water Notice .