The New Mexico Water Collaborative

provides resources for the people of New

Mexico to facilitate the implementation of

water conservation strategies, and to educate

our communities about critical water issues.

What are the solutions?

CONSERVE RECLAIM & REUSE

Low Flow Faucets Low Flow Showerheads

Low Flow Toilets Biological Soil Amendment

High Efficiency

Washer & Dryer

Agricultural Irrigation

Rainwater HarvestingGrey Water Reuse

Wastewater Reuse Infiltration

Rainwater Harvesting

Pilot Program

▪ ABCWUA(Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility

Authority) achieved water conservation milestones.

▪ 2024 Water Conservation Plan & Water Program Update

identified programs for continued progress in the areas

of water conservation, youth education, and new rebate

programs.

▪ Further development of outdoor water conservation

opportunities needed.

▪ RAINWATER HARVESTING PILOT PROGRAM

Why the Interest?

Program Goal

▪ To demonstrate how everyday citizens in different neighborhoods throughout our community can have an impact on the amount of potable water pumped, cleansed and conveyed to support their landscapes.

▪ Water savings=lower water bills.

▪ Environmental benefit=water & energy conserved.

Two Phases

▪ PHASE ONE: Installing Rainwater

Harvesting Systems

(Completed Sept 2015)

▪ PHASE TWO: Rainwater Harvesting Guide

(Completed Oct 2016)

Details, Details, Details…

▪ How are we going to pay for it?

▪ How to determine recipients?

▪ Who are the contractors?

Where’s the Money?

▪ No $ from ABCWUA.

▪ FUNDRAISE, created Giving Level Structure.

▪ Set up a lot of meetings.

▪ Raised $82,000

Water Bill Insert

▪ 200,000 statements

mailed monthly.

▪ 6 week application

period.

▪ Must be customer

of water authority.

Applications

▪ Type dwelling?

▪ Flat or pitched

roof?

▪ Gutters, canales?

▪ Where are your

planting areas?

▪ How do you irrigate

currently?

▪ 50 words-tell us

why interested

▪ Income information

▪ Business=50% pay

▪ Flow meter access

for two year

commitment

▪ Photos of site

How Many Applications?

▪ Online applications at NMWC or ABCWUA websites, OR

▪ Call NMWC to mail you an application.

▪ 132 Calls

▪ 150 Applications Mailed

▪ Our goal to receive 100 applications.

▪ 232 applications received.

▪ 9 recipients chosen.

Contractors-What Were We

Looking For?

▪ Knowledgeable

▪ Good manners, professional

▪ Variety in approach

▪ Willingness to work with a budget

Installations

▪ Summer 2015

▪ 7 Residential & 2 Business Sites.

▪ EVERY site had to install flow meters.

▪ EVERY site had an unexpected

challenge.

Rainwater Harvesting Guide

▪ General guide to help consumers understand the considerations for rainwater harvesting systems.

▪ To show everyday people from our community focused on solutions to water scarcity.

What Did We Learn From Two

Years of Data Collection?

▪ Landscapes 400SF to 6,800 square feet.

▪ System capacities 530 to 5,100 gallons.

▪ 8 systems above grade, 1 below grade.

▪ Franklin Residence:

2,200g cistern/11,400

gallons captured/reused.

▪ Sandoval Residence:

1650g cistern/16,420

gallons captured/reused.

▪ Savas Residence: 530g

cistern/9,640 gallons

captured/reused.

▪ Galbraith Residence:

4,300g cistern/50,040

gallons captured/reused.

Excellence in Sustainability Award

▪ December 2016

▪ Awarded to one project, selected

from over 40 projects by the New

Mexico Chapter of American

Society of Landscape Architects.

▪ Access pdf of RWH Guide:www.abcwua.org/rainwater-harvesting

ARCSA Ad in the Guide

What Do We Know?

▪ Water is a finite natural resource.

▪ We are in a water crisis.

▪ All communities have a responsibility to use water efficiently.

What Did We Learn?

▪ Urban condition unique challenges.

▪ Client preferences HUGE.

▪ Low tech to high tech.

▪ To capture, store and reuse rainwater is a viable GI/LID strategy.