The questions and answers below were developed in response to questions from taxpayers and ratepayers within the District.  

If you have a question not covered here, please try locating the answer on one of the pages on this site, or send an email to an appropriate contact. Most pages have a "FOR MORE INFORMATION:" email link to District Board members or appropriate staff.

RATES AND FINANCES

• What are the current rates charged to customers for water use?
  EAWSD uses a tiered water rate structure (i.e., customers who use more water pay more for it per 1,000 gallons) in order to encourage conservation.

  Click here to see the current rate structure.

  
  Page last updated 6/3/2009

• Why are customers who are outside the District now charged a higher monthly System Base Charge?
  Out-of-District customers are now charged a higher base rate to ensure equity with customers who are inside the District and pay property taxes (which are used to retire the General Obligation bonds which were used to purchase approximately 63% [about $7M] of the utility). Since the utility was purchased, customers outside the District, who do not pay property taxes to the District, have been, in essence, paying less for their water.

  
  Page last updated 6/16/2009

• Why were the rates and fees increased in 2009?
  By law, the District must operate with a balanced budget. Rates and fees must cover the District's Operating Expenses, including the debt service for the Revenue bonds used to purchase 37% of the utility, as well as ensure that the system is maintained and improved.  Previous budgets had little funding left for Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) and over time the ability to cover Operating Expenses was also eroded (owing to increased costs, inflation, etc.).

  While some CIP funding in the past has been obtained from State Grants via the Legislature and Governor, the amounts are always less than needed to correct system deficiencies and upgrade system components, and are not consistent in quantity each year. Further, most grants require some matching funds from the District.  ($400,000 was received from State Grants in 2005; $200,000 in 2006; $500,000 in 2007; $50,000 in 2008; and zero in 2009).

  A portion of the rates and fees increase will fund critical CIPs - projected to be $200,000 to $600,000 per year, depending on water sales and other fees.

  Note.  The last rate increase prior to 2009 was in 2001, before  EAWSD purchased the utility.

  
  Page last updated 6/16/2009

• What are the typical operating expenses for EAWSD?
  Operating Expenses in the fiscal year ending 6/30/10 (FY2010) are projected to be $ 2,054,646, without principal payments on the Revenue Bonds and General Obligation Bonds.  

  Budget components include:

  Salaries, wages, & benefits  --   $ 218,182
  Travel  -- $ 2,650
  Contractual Services (OMI, legal, et al.) --  $1,249,505
  Supplies  --  $ 14,941
  Operating Costs (power, etc) --  $ 177,079
  Engineering services or project management --  $ 75,000
  Scheduled maintenance -- $ 31,775
  Utility repairs -- $  150,000
  Capital projects  --  $ 135,514

  To see the full FY2010 budget, click here.

  
  Page last updated 6/16/2009

• How are the property taxes paid to the District determined?
  The property tax revenue requirement is determined by the District as part of its annual budgeting process. The corresponding mil rate for the property tax levy is stipulated by the District and both the revenue requirement and the stipulated rate are reviewed by the New Mexico Department of Finance & Administration (NM DFA). NM DFA may adjust the revenue requirement (the “yield”) or the mil rate before it sends the final figures to the Santa Fe County Assessor’s office. The Assessor’s office is responsible for collecting the tax and remitting it to local government entities, including the District. The Assessor's office retains 1% of the gross amount collected as an administrative fee.
  
  The current mil levy is $3.36 per $1,000 of assessed value. As an example, a property having a full value of $300,000 and assessed at $100,000 (1/3 of full value) would incur a District tax of $3.36 x 100 = $336 per year.
  
  The projected property tax revenue for FY 2010 is $811,050.

  Page last updated 7/6/2009

DISTRICT STAFF AND FACILITIES

• How many employees does EAWSD have?
  The District has two employees

  • David Denig-Chakroff, General Manager, who joined the District in December 2009, and
  • Anna Mondragon-Metzger, Administrative Assistant

  In addition, the District has retained a part-time Financial Coordinator (contractor).

  Under the terms of the contract with CH2M HILL, the contractor provides eight employees, including a Project Manager, business office and customer service staff, and field crews.

  The fiscal year plan for 2010-2011 is to add one more full time employee.

  Board Members are not compensated for their time.

  Page last updated 8/4/2010

  
  

• What facilities does the utility system include?
  System components include:

  • 6 storage tanks, with 2.5 million gallons maximum capacity, typically operated at 90% full
  • 15 wells in three major aquifer groups, plus 2 observation/monitoring wells
  • More than 110 miles of distribution and transmission lines (4'' and above)
  • 4 booster pump stations
  • More than 600 isolation valves, and 9 pressure reducing valve stations
  • More than 500 fire hydrants
  • Computerized monitoring and control system (SCADA), connected by telemetry to the computer in key locations for the 'on-call' operator at nights and on week-ends
  • Leased facilities, including an Administrative Office, Customer Service and Billing Office, and Opertions/Field Office

  The District has received County approvals for a development plan to build a combined office/maintenance facility at 190 Avenida Vista Grande, near the corner of Ave. Vista Grand and Monte Alto Rd.  The 5.4 acre site is currently owned by the District and is the location of a large water storage tank.  The District does not currently have funding to proceed with development, but will be looking into financing options for the project.

  
  Page last updated 6/16/2009

• Why is the District replacing my old meter with a radio meter and could it have any health effects?
  Like any other mechanical device, water meters wear out over time and must be replaced.  As the District replaces old meters, it is installing newer “radio-read” meters, a technology which has become an industry standard.  With these meters, the District can reduce the time (and expense) required to read meters every month.  These meters also have the ability to record water usage over time, providing both the District and customers better information with which to manage water use.

  The radio-read meters operate at a frequency of 916.45 MHz (megahertz).  The power output is 100 mW (milliwatts).  The radiation that is emitted by devices at these frequencies is classified by the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health as “non-ionizing” radiation, such as that from visible light.  The meters operate at lower frequencies than that transmitted by visible light or TV remote controls.  When the meters are transmitting, the exposure to radio frequency energy 8 inches from the meter is about 10 times lower than the exposure limit set by the Federal Communications Commission.  The World Health Organization has determined that devices operating at these frequencies do not affect human health.

WATER QUALITY AND QUANTITY

• Is our water safe to drink?
  Yes.  Our water meets or exceeds all state and federal water quality standards.  For more information about our water quality and copies of our annual water quality reports, please visit the Water Quality section of this website.

• Why do I smell/taste chlorine in the water and what can be done about it?
  Even though our water supply is a high quality groundwater, a small amount of chlorine must be added to the water to prevent the possibility of microbial growth as the water moves through the distribution system to customers' taps. Some individuals are more sensitive to the taste and smell of chlorine in the water than others.  If the chlorine level is bothersome, it can be dissipated by keeping an open pitcher of water for drinking in your refrigerator.  Some commercially available tap filters and pitcher-type filters are also effective for removing chlorine.  If you experience a persistent, strong taste or odor of chlorine from your tap water, call our operations office at 466-1085, and we will send someone out to test the level of chlorine in the water.    

• What is the hardness of our water?
  Water hardness is a measure of the amount of minerals dissolved in the water, particularly calcium carbonate and magnesium.  Water is soft when it falls from the sky as rain.  As water travels through soil and rock it dissolves minerals with which it comes in contact.  Since we draw our water from deep wells drilled into rock formations, our water is very hard.  Generally, the water hardness is about 250 parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/L).  This is also equivalent to about 15 grains per gallon (gpg).  If you wish to soften your tap water with a commercially-available water softener, the installer will want to know this water hardness level in order to properly adjust the softener.

• How much water supply does EAWSD have?
  All water supplied to the EAWSD system is from wells. There are 15 wells in the system, of which 4 are 'major' producers (above 100 gpm), 6 are 'moderate' producers (20 to 100 gpm), 3 are 'minor' producers (less than 20 gpm), and 2 are non-producers and are not used. One major well drilled in 2007 awaits final permits for permanent use.

  For more information about the wells, click here.

  EAWSD is currently planning a new Well "A" to increase pumping capacity; it will be 1-2 years before this well is completed and permitted.

  
  Page last updated 6/16/2009

• How much water is being pumped from the aquifers and used?
  In 2005, 186 million gallons (Mgal/yr or 570 afy) was pumped from the wells and approximately 174 Mgal/yr was used by customers. In 2006, 174 Mgal/yr (533 afy) was pumped and approximately 164 Mgal/yr was used. Currently, water is being pumped at 170 to 180 Mgal/yr rates and used at approximately 150 Mgal/yr rates. The 10 to 25 Mgal/yr difference between pumping volumes and use volumes is the 'unaccounted losses', which includes water lost during fire hydrant flushing and testing, older meters reading 'low', and leaks. Currently, the unaccounted losses range between 10% and 15%, which is below the typical range for systems of this size in New Mexico.  

  Currently, with new Well #17, for summer operation when tank levels cannot be maintained, the managed, sustained pumping capacity is 710 kgal/day, which is minimally adequate for all but the hottest days of summer. However, good operating practice of managing wells to allow routine and regular periods of ‘rest and recovery’ would indicate that EAWSD should have approximately 700 kgal/day basic sustained capacity with approximately 150 kgal/day of sustained reserve capacity for equipment malfunctions, low or no runoff in the Galisteo Creek alluvium, and other emergencies. The immediate requirement for the system is to add additional pumping capacity.

  Page last updated 6/16/2009

• Does EAWSD have adequate water rights for the water being pumped?
  On June 4, 2010, the Office of State Engineer (OSE) issued Partial Licenses for the District's current and future water rights in two well fields.  Under the license for Central Well Field, the District has water rights currently to use 583.23 acre feet per year (afy) of water and is permitted to develop up to an additional 254.37 afy of water rights through new wells in the Central Well Field over the next 20 years.  The District also received a license for water rights to use 200.2 afy of water in the Galisteo Creek Wells.  The licenses also allow combining and commingling of the Galisteo ?Creek Wells' water rightw with the Central Well Fields' rights.

  The granting of these licenses establishes the current water rights of the District at 783.43 afy and permits the development of a further 254.37 afy for a total of up to 1,037.6 afy.  As part of the license agreement, routine monitoring of water levels in wells around the District's service area will be required.

  Click here to view the OSE license agreement.

  
  Page last updated 6/16/2009

• Is there enough water to meet the needs of the Eldorado area?
  For the present - yes. It has been recognized since the Shomaker hydrology report in 2001, that the immediate need is for more wells with increased pumping capacity, and that the long-term needs will likely require the importing of water for a sustainable supply.

  The groundwater situation was reassessed in an updated hydrology study and groundwater model via a contract with Glorieta Geoscience, Inc. (GGI), in June, 2007. The results of that reassessment were that there exists a 100 year supply of groundwater. The study also included recommendations on the number of new wells that would be required to meet future demand.

  
  Page last updated 6/16/2009

FUTURE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

• What about future growth? And what must developers do to join the utility?
  Land use requirements, and, thus, growth are regulated by Santa Fe County. EAWSD has no land use authority. Growth will likely occur on the southern edges of the Eldorado area. The rate of increase in water demand associated with that growth is of concern to EAWSD and others. By law, the District must provide water service within its designated boundaries. EAWSD is working on moderating the increase in demand by promoting conservation, implementing conservation water rates, and other measures.  

  For a developer to bring a development into the utility, four items must be furnished by the developer:

  a) water in excess of the development's requirements, typically a well transferred to EAWSD, or fees to develop new water sources;
  b) water rights, or financial equivalent for EAWSD to acquire additional water rights, equal to the development's requirements;
  c) payment of fees to connect each lot, or equivalent, to the utility; and
  d) the infrastructure required to connect the development to the utility.

  
  Page last updated 6/16/2009

• What about adjoining areas to be developed, such as Commonweal, joining the EAWSD utility?
  As required and promoted by the New Mexico Legislature, EAWSD supports the 'regionalization' approach to water systems combining into larger regions. Not only does this allow the professional management of smaller systems, it also furnishes backup capacity during emergencies, such as during fires and droughts.  

  Commonweal has discussed the possibility of the Galisteo Basin Preserve development joining the EAWSD system, and EAWSD has stated that it is receptive to that, provided that Commonweal meets all four requirements as with other developers. Commonweal must supply water (in excess of their requirements), water rights or financial equivalent, pay all connecting fees, and furnish all required infrastructure. Alternatively, Commonweal may consider contracting with the District to operate and maintain their system, providing water only under specified conditions. No agreement has been reached.

  
  Page last updated 6/16/2009

WATER CONSERVATION

• What is the District doing to promote water conservation?
  In 2009, the District implemented a conservation rate structure that encourages conservation by charging higher rates to high water users.  As old meters are replaced, the District is converting to electronic meters that record water use over time, giving the District and customers better information with which to manage water use.  The District also has a program to identify and repair water leaks in the system.  We also disseminate information about water-use efficiency measures.  The District maintains a Water Conservation Plan and a Water Alert Management Plan.  More information about our conservation program can be found at the Water Conservation section of this website.

• Does the District offer rebates for customer replacement of fixtures and appliances with water-saving ones?
  No, we cannot.  The "anti-donation" clause of the State Constitution (Article IX, Sec. 14) prevents the District from making such rebates to individuals.  Cities in New Mexico that have such programs, such as Santa Fe, are charter or home rule cities that are not bound by that clause of the Constitution.  We do encourage ratepayers to make such improvements in their homes to reduce their water bills and to conserve water.