Water

Harvesting and Irrigation

  • Stormwater capture
  • Land Contouring
  • Infiltration and irrigation
  • Water quality

Capture, Infiltrate and Harvest:

Water conservation and water health are imperative to preserving the livelihood of many Santa Fe County Residents. Severe drought, aridification, and groundwater depletion combined with land use change and population growth are expected to worsen existing water shortages in New Mexico. Incorporating water catchment systems, building rain gardens to develop more absorbent soils, and keeping your yard and community clean of contaminants will preserve water quality effected by run off.

When we use less water, we help protect our local water resources and meet current and future needs more sustainably. Since groundwater and surface water are interconnected, using less groundwater means more water for the streams, springs, rivers, and ecosystems in New Mexico. Integrating modern green storm water infrastructure is also an important step towards mitigating the effects of erosion from runoff and increasing the amount of water absorbed into our landscape. These solutions increase carbon sequestration, preserve traditional agriculture, and support human and water health.

With the expected increase in severity of seasonal monsoons and drought, developing a water wise community will be essential to mitigation of extreme drought due to a changing and warming climate.

Conserve and preserve existing habitat

Level 1
30% of plantable space, a healthy and biodiverse ecosystem. Accomplishment of 60 point score on best practices check list items of native plantings, canopy, land stewardship and firescaping.

Level 2
50% of plantable space, a healthy and biodiverse ecosystem. Accomplishment of 75 point score on best practices check list items of native plantings, canopy, land stewardship and firescaping with an average of one native plant per square foot, and minimum of ten native species.

Level 3
70% of plantable space, a healthy and biodiverse ecosystem. Accomplishment of 90 point score on best practices check list items of native plantings, canopy, land stewardship and firescaping with an average of one native plant per square foot and eleven+ native species.