New Mexico’s efforts to develop a brackish water market face challenges as experts and advocates push for more detailed underground mapping before the state taps its aquifers.
Patrick Lohmann reports for Source New Mexico.
In short:
- The Water Data Initiative seeks more than $7 million to continue mapping New Mexico’s underground aquifers, which hold brackish water unsuitable for drinking.
- Industry leaders, environmental groups and state officials agree that more data is needed before a brackish water market can be established.
- Concerns include the amount of brackish water available and potential environmental impacts from deep aquifer extraction.
Why this matters:
Understanding the state’s underground water resources is critical as New Mexico faces growing water scarcity. Inaccurate or incomplete data could lead to unsustainable water extraction or damage to vital ecosystems.
Learn more: New Mexico advances controversial water plan amid public outcry
