News and Articles

03/04/2026

Santa Fe County joins TVCA public meeting to discuss well elections for the Pojoaque Basin Regional Water System this Thursday

SANTA FE, NM, March 4, 2026—Santa Fe County will join the Tesuque Valley Community Association (TVCA) meeting this Thursday, March 5, at 5:30 p.m. at the Tesuque Elementary School located at 1555 Bishop’s Lodge Road.

The meeting is to help residents understand how the Aamodt Settlement Agreement applies to water wells in the Nambé-Pojoaque-Tesuque Basin, what options well owners have regarding the Pojoaque Basin Regional Water System, and what actions to take to receive settlement-party status, as well as information about how to meet reporting deadlines with the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer.

Members of the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer and Santa Fe County will be speaking and answering questions, and there will be handouts, takeaway information, and forms available.

"This meeting is a valuable opportunity for Pojoaque Valley residents to hear directly from the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer and Santa Fe County officials about how the Aamodt Settlement affects their wells and what options they will have to connect to the system once it becomes available," said Santa Fe County Project Manager Scott Kaseman.

The Pojoaque Basin Regional Water System is currently in Phase 1 of construction and 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. The Bureau of Reclamation is the lead on the project, responsible for design, construction, and budget. 

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 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.

This meeting will help residents understand this process and what steps to take.

####