SCADA Systems monitors, analyzes, and reports on surface water and groundwater within the District boundaries. Using an extensive system of Remote Telemetry Units (RTU), surface water flow data is monitored throughout the District delivery system which includes diversion dams, river gauging stations, main canals, lateral headings, spillways, and drains.  SCADA Systems also monitors weather stations, rain gauges, and arroyo channels to track storm activity and capture stormwater inflows to aid in aquifer replenishment and field irrigations.

The San Juan-Chama Drinking Water Project was completed in 2008, ending Albuquerque’s sole reliance on an overtaxed aquifer by tapping into surface water transported from the Colorado River basin. The water, rights to which have been purchased in perpetuity, is part of New Mexico’s allotment of Colorado River water, which has been apportioned among Western states. It is not native Rio Grande water. Officials first proposed use of the water for drinking after scientific studies in the early 1990s showed that Albuquerque’s aquifer – once thought to be virtually limitless – was smaller than originally believed, and being pumped twice as fast as nature could replenish it. But switching to surface water would be no easy task. It took more than $400 million in new infrastructure to divert the water from the Rio Grande, treat the water to safe drinking water standards, and deliver it to customers. The project was financed with seven dedicated rate increases over several years. Among other things, those rate increases paid for: 38 miles of distribution pipeline (some of it underneath the Rio Grande itself). An adjustable diversion dam and intake structure on the Rio Grande. Funding of programs to preserve the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow and its habitat, and inclusion of fish screens and passages at the diversion site to minimize Project impacts on fish populations. A Raw Water Pump Station on the Rio Grande, built to resemble a Spanish mission church the better to blend in with its surroundings. Eight miles of raw water pipeline to transport water from the Raw Water Pump Station. A $160 million Water Treatment Plant. The plant, with a capacity of about 80 million gallons per day, uses a series of chemical and mechanical processes to remove sediment and other contaminants from the water. It employs the same treatment process now in use by such communities as Fresno, California and Tampa, Florida. Ratepayer dollars also were used to fund an ongoing conservation program. Permit requirements for the San Juan Chama Drinking Water Project called for an eventual reduction in Albuquerque’s per capita water usage to 155 gallons per day. That goal has already been met and surpassed. Project construction, which began in 2004, was completed in 2008. Pipeline construction wrapped up in April of 2008, and the Water Treatment Plant was finished in November of 2008.

Water right records can be searched on the Water Resources Explorer web map by document/record number or by the name of the person the water right was issued to (or the name of the claimant, if it is a water right claim).The web map is an efficient tool for anyone researching water rights or water right claims, or seeking to obtain a water right in Washington State.  Consultants, real estate agents, local government workers, elected officials, and holders of existing water rights will find the map a valuable source of information.Links to water right documents allow the user access to scanned images of water resource documents that include:Water right certificates, water use permits, applications for water use, and claims of water use.The authorized, claimed, or requested quantity of water (both current and annual) and number of irrigated acres.The purpose of water use, priority date or date of first use, as well as the name of record.Information regarding metering, if required.Information not maintained directly by the Water Resources Program such as Ecology or USGS flow data from stream gauging stations.