Middle Rio Grande Regional Water Plan

• Establishing and maintaining a water budget for the County that seeks to balance the
relationship between the water inflow, local consumptive use or depletion, and the water
outflow
• Protecting and improving the quality of water resources available to the County by
Developing and implementing a groundwater protection plan and program
Identifying sources and constituents of “non-point source” pollution in the County,
and developing a plan and program to mitigate the contamination of water resources
Identifying and protecting designated wetlands in the County
Evaluating the feasibility of constructed wetlands and vegetation filters for purposes
of water treatment
The plan also encourages the establishment of water conservation guidelines for water systems in
the unincorporated areas of the County.
4.1.5.9 City of Belen
Water use in the City of Belen is regulated through its code of ordinances and guided by the City
of Belen Comprehensive Land Use Plan (MRCOG, 2003a).
The Belen Code of Ordinances includes Chapter 13.16 (water waste restrictions) and Chapter
16.24.010 (transfer of water rights by applicant for subdivision approval).
The City of Belen’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan sets as a policy that an adequate supply of
high-quality water for current and future needs of the City be ensured. To meet this goal, the
plan sets the following objectives:
• Aggressively acquire and secure water rights to meet projected future demands.
• Adopt and maintain a water conservation program that measures residential and business
water consumption, offers conservation incentives, and includes a drought contingency
plan.
• Educate water users about the benefits of water conservation and other specific water
conservation techniques and practices.
• Develop a groundwater protection plan in cooperation with neighboring communities to
reduce the potential for groundwater contamination from on-site liquid waste disposal
systems, leaking underground storage tanks, and improper handling or disposal of
hazardous materials.
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