City of Farmington Outlines Comprehensive Water Security Strategy and Project Updates at City Council Meeting

Angelique Maldonado presented a detailed update on the City’s “Sustainable Solution” for water management. The presentation addressed current drought conditions, critical upgrades to Water Treatment Plant #1, and the launch of a new community-wide water efficiency education campaign.

Drought Outlook and Snowpack: Maldonado reported that while 71.5% of New Mexico is currently in a state of drought, recent local trends have shown improved conditions. While the snow water equivalent (SWE) in the Animas River Basin is tracking below historical averages, above-normal soil moisture is expected to increase runoff efficiency during the upcoming spring melt.

Lake Farmington Operations and Capacity: Lake Farmington remains a cornerstone of the City’s water storage. Maldonado reported that at least four feet of sediment was removed from the lake basins, increasing the reservoir’s capacity by 850 acre-feet. To further bolster long-term security, the Public Works Department detailed two major infrastructure plans:

• 5-Foot Spillway Raise: A $6.3 million project to increase storage capacity by 1,147 acre-feet.

• 25-Foot Spillway Raise: A larger-scale phased project that includes building two new saddle dams and a new tower with bridge access to significantly expand reservoir capacity.

Modernizing Water Infrastructure: A new initiative to reduce water loss will begin with an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project, designed to upgrade 16,000 water meters with smart technology and leak detection. This project will enhance operational efficiency, promote sustainability, and provide customers with new, in-depth data regarding their daily water consumption.  Significant progress was reported on the $29.6 million Phase 1 upgrades at WTP#1, which are estimated for completion by July 11, 2026. Recent milestones include:

• Commissioning the new Backwash Recovery Basin.
• Fully commissioning the East Filter Gallery.
• Completing a major electrical overhaul, including new switchgear.

Phase 2 of the WTP#1 upgrade is estimated to start in the summer of 2026. This phase will feature a new 2,100-square-foot chemical building to house advanced treatment systems.

New Water Efficiency Campaign: The City also officially announced the launch of its new Water Efficiency initiative to promote a culture of stewardship. Approximately 70–75% of residential water use in Farmington occurs outdoors, primarily for landscape irrigation. The City will have educational outreach at upcoming events as well as presentations in Elementary schools throughout the city.

“Water efficiency is not just about responding to drought; it is a proactive approach that benefits our entire community year-round,” the campaign emphasizes. The initiative empowers residents to adopt sustainable habits, such as fixing leaks and using climate-appropriate landscaping, to reduce strain on infrastructure.

Residents are encouraged to visit the City’s Water Efficiency landing page to learn more about current drought and snowpack conditions as well as how to improve water efficiency at home: farmingtonnm.gov/water-efficiency.

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