Middle Rio Grande Regional Water Plan

• The conservation of water resources is a primary consideration for any new development
or changes to land use.
• The augmenting of water resources will be promoted through various strategies to be
developed as the need arises.
• Efforts will be made to require community water supply and liquid waste disposal
systems in order to ensure safe drinking water for residents.
• Protective zones will be established to ensure that critical areas along the Rio Grande and
Jemez River are not negatively impacted by development.
• Critical natural areas will be identified and regulations for their protection adopted where
appropriate.
4.1.5.5 Rio Rancho
Water use in Rio Rancho is regulated through the Rio Rancho Municipal Code and the Rio
Rancho Comprehensive Plan (City of Rio Rancho, 2015).
• The Rio Rancho Code prohibits the waste of water, Section 52.04, and imposes time of
day watering restrictions, Section 52.05. It also sets forth emergency water shortage
response stages, Section 52.24. The Code further mandates that a city domestic well
permit be obtained prior to obtaining a domestic well permit from the State Engineer,
Section 53.02. A domestic will permit will be denied by the City if the proposed well is
within 300 feet of water distribution system, Section 53.04(E).
• The Rio Rancho Comprehensive Plan addresses water quality, water availability, and
water conservation and reuse, and sets as goals preserving water resources and
identifying and securing a long-term water supply. See City of Rio Rancho, 2015,
Sections 2.3.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.4, and 8.2.5.2.
4.1.5.6 Town of Bernalillo
The Town of Bernalillo regulates water use through its Ordinance No. 198, Water Conservation,
Emergency Response and Drought Management Ordinance.
4.1.5.7 Torrance County
Water use in Torrance County is guided by the Torrance County Comprehensive Plan (MRCOG,
2003b) and regulated through its subdivision regulations.
The comprehensive plan recognizes that there is no regional authority to manage the
consumptive use of water resources in the County, with many decisions affecting water resources
in the County made by individual local governments and by private sector water providers. The
Middle Rio Grande Regional Water Plan 2017 46