Middle Rio Grande Regional Water Plan

detail in the 2004 RWP. Section 6 provides updated population and water use data,
which are then used to develop updated projections of future water demand.
• Based on the current water supply and demand information discussed in Sections 5 and 6,
Section 7 updates the projected gap between supply and demand of the planning region.
• Section 8 outlines new strategies (water programs, projects, or policies) identified by the
region as part of this update, including additional water conservation measures.
Water supply and demand information (Sections 5 through 7) is assessed in accordance with a
common technical approach, as identified in the Handbook (NMISC, 2013) (where it is referred
to as a common technical platform). This common technical approach is a simple methodology
that can be used consistently across all regions to assess supply and demand, with the objective
of efficiently developing a statewide overview of the balance between supply and demand for
planning purposes.
Four terms frequently used when discussing water throughout this plan have specific definitions
related to this RWP:
• Water use is water withdrawn from a surface or groundwater source for a specific use. In
New Mexico water is accounted for as one of the nine categories of use in the New
Mexico Water Use by Categories 2010 report prepared by the New Mexico Office of the
State Engineer (NMOSE).
• Water withdrawal is water diverted or removed from a surface or groundwater source for
use.
• Administrative water supply is based on the amount of water withdrawals in 2010 as
outlined in the New Mexico Water Use by Categories 2010 report.
• Water demand is the amount of water needed at a specified time.
2. Public Involvement in the Planning Process
During the past two years, the regional water planning steering committees, interested
stakeholders, NMISC, and consultants to the NMISC have worked together to develop regional
water plan updates. The purpose of this section is to describe public involvement activities
during the regional water plan update process, guided by the Handbook, which outlined a public
involvement process that allowed for broad general public participation combined with
leadership from key water user groups.
Middle Rio Grande Regional Water Plan 2017 4