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SANTA FE, NM, Feb. 2, 2026 —Construction for Phase 1 of the Pojoaque Basin Regional Water System is over halfway completed, and now is the best time for eligible Santa Fe County residents to opt in. More information about this project and other County updates will be shared at a Santa Fe County District 1 Town Hall this Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the El Rancho Senior Center, 394 CR 84, in Santa Fe.

The water system will provide reliable, safe drinking water to Pueblo and non-Pueblo customers who are part of the Aamodt Settlement Agreement in the corridors of NM-502, NM-503, 285 from Pojoaque to Tesuque, and Bishop’s Lodge Road. Once operational, the system will deliver up to 2,500 acre-feet of water annually with capacity for expansion.

The Bureau of Reclamation is the lead on the project, responsible for design, construction, and budget. Construction is planned in three phases, with a projected completion of Phase 2 in 2029, and is one of Northern New Mexico’s largest infrastructure projects.

The number one benefit of connecting to the system is to ensure your property has a reliable, safe drinking water supply. A water treatment facility will treat water pulled from the Rio Grande and distribute it to tanks and residents through over 150 miles of planned waterlines. The locations of those lines will depend on how many people opt in. Filling out your paperwork now helps the project planners decide where to put major waterlines.

“It’s important for the County to know who is interested in connecting to the system now, to be considered for the final design, and we can help you through that process,” said Santa Fe County Project Manager Scott Kaseman.

The County will pay up to $10,000 to connect eligible residents to the water system—but you must opt in before Phase 3 begins. Phase 3 is currently being designed but is waiting for landowner participation to determine the final layout of waterlines.

If you opt in after Phase 3 begins, you will have to pay the full cost to connect to the system, which is estimated to be $8,000-$12,000, and you may not be able to connect after the designs have finalized.

The project will add fire hydrants at intervals along the waterlines increasing fire protection. Another benefit of opting in is to make sure those lines go through your neighborhood.

This project is helping the County reach its Climate Action Plan goals, by reducing the strain on the underground aquifer, and residents help by electing in.

To opt in, you must fill out a Well Election Acceptance Form found on the County website, and file it with the U.S. District Court. This form contains four options.

Option one is to fully connect to the water system and retire the well.

Option two is to connect to the water system for indoor water use, and to keep the well operational for outdoor water use only—this is a great option for folks who irrigate gardens or orchards or for anyone who wishes to keep the well for outdoor use.

Option three is to not connect at all.

Option four is to connect to the water system upon transfer of the property.

The full terms are contained within the form, which is part of the Aamodt Settlement Agreement, and filing it with the U.S. District Court protects landowners from future priority calls.

The form and instructions, along with updates about current construction, can be found online at SantaFeCountyNM.gov/public-works/Aamodt.

For help navigating the forms and opt-in process, contact Project Manager Scott Kaseman at 505-992-9887 or SKaseman@SantaFeCountyNM.gov.