Domestic Well Use Metering Program
Santa Fe County is dedicated to conserving water resources through effective resource management policy and programming. Per the Sustainable Land Development Code section 7.13.11.5, all developments utilizing a well shall participate in the well use metering program. This includes mandatory annual reporting of well meter readings for registered well users. Please use the portal below to enter your well meter readings.
Well meter readings are due January 1st and are to be submitted no later than April 30th. Well meters are required to be tested for accuracy every ten(10) years and replaced, if necessary.
Well users required to submit meter readings for this program that already report their meter readings to the Office of the State Engineer may submit those readings in lieu of submitting via the portal above. Please submit those documents via the email below.
Digital submissions are preferred, but meter readings may also be submitted by mail or email to the program administrator via the information below:
By Mail
Domestic Well Use Metering Program
Santa Fe County Public works Department
424 NM Hwy 599 Frontage Road
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
By Email
Domestic Well Use Metering Program Administrator
Michael J. W. Carr, Environmental Compliance Officer
Public Works Department
wellmetering@santafecountynm.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
Click a question below to view the answer.
How do I read my well meter?
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How do I submit meter readings if I am on a shared well?
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How do I submit my OSE meter reporting data in lieu of County reporting?
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Which properties are subject to the Domestic Well Use Metering Program?
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Where is the Domestic Well Use Metering Program Documented?
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When did the program go into effect?
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Why do residents have to report meter readings?
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Additional Groundwater Resources
Documents
- 2015 Santa Fe Basin Study
- 2019 Santa Fe Basin Study Update
- 2016 Geology and Hydrology of Groundwater-fed Springs and Wetlands in La Cienega, Santa Fe, New Mexico
- 2017 Santa Fe Water Reuse Feasibility Study
- 2023 Santa Fe County Wetlands Action Plan Update
- 2023 La Cienega & La Cieneguilla Well Monitoring Program Report
- 2025 Phase 2 Well Monitoring Program Report
Other Resources
2022-2025 Domestic Wells Monitoring Pilot Program
A domestic well is a well that accesses groundwater for domestic use such as household drinking water and outdoor irrigation. Depending upon the conditions of the permit, the Sustainable Land Development Code and the Office of the State Engineer (OSE) sets limits on the annual domestic well water use amount. Santa Fe County is working with community members in La Cienega and La Cieneguilla to develop a domestic well monitoring pilot program to ensure the sustainability of local water supplies. The project aims to better understand local groundwater levels and trends, identify requirements that apply to different wells, estimate current water demand, and project future water demand. Depending on the project’s findings, water conservation goals, enforcement of existing requirements, new ordinances, and/or other programs may be recommended.
Santa Fe Watershed Association Resource Library
The Santa Fe Watershed Association (SFWA) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to build a thriving, resilient Santa Fe River Watershed through collaboration, stewardship, and education that inspires us all to care for our land, water, and each other.
Resource Library
The SFWA hosts an assemblage of reports, studies, photos, and educational materials related to the Santa Fe watershed and supporting natural resource stewardship.
StoryMap: A timeline of community water work and advocacy
Learn about the history of the SFWA and their actions in stewarding community water resources.
2025 Santa Fe County Water: Today & Tomorow Event Presentations
Santa Fe County held a community forum focused on the past, present, and future of the County's water Resources. The event took place over two(2) days to bring together County staff, community partners, and the public for an open discussion on water use, management, and sustainability. Presentations covered:
- Santa Fe County's Water Resources: Where our water comes from and how it's used.
- Water Resource Administration: Domestic wells, groundwater, and stormwater management.
- Collaboration & Partnerships: Working with State, Tribal, and community partners.
- Land Use and Growth: How planning and development affect water use.
- Water Resilience & Sustainability: County programs and the 2026 Next Generation Water Summit.
- Closing Discussion: Building Santa Fe County's water future together.
Presentations are viewable on the Santa Fe County Water Landing page
NMBGMR Aquifer Mapping and Monitoring Program (AMMP)
The Aquifer Mapping and Monitoring Program (AMMP) collects and interprets earth science data in order to map, characterize, and monitor the state’s groundwater resources. Their website provides a vareity of data related to groundwater monitoring efforts through out the Santa Fe Basin.
Landing page
The New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources Aquifer Mapping and Monitoring Program webpage.
NMBGMR Statewide Groundwater Monitoring Dashboard
This comprehensive groundwater monitoring dashboard and well management system displays information from over 1,000 monitored wells and nearly 270,000 active permitted wells.
Healy Collaborative Groundwater Monitoring Network
The Healy Collaborative Groundwater Network, created in 2016 and funded by the Healy Foundation, provides support to install monitoring devices or manually measure groundwater levels in wells at no cost to well owners. Their primary focus is rural and under-monitored regions throughout the state.