Control and Operation of the Public Water System  
Water service to your home or business has been made possible by a complex system of wells, pipelines, pump stations, storage tanks and a multitude of valves, sensors, controllers and other equipment. Operation and maintenance of these facilities, up to and including the customer's meter, is the responsibility of the District. In general, water is pumped from a few wells at a time, often under automatic control, to maintain tank levels. Booster pump stations are used to move the water to higher elevation tanks. The tank levels are typically maintained at or near 90% full in the summer, and at lower levels in the winter. Water from the higher elevation tanks flows by gravity through the many miles of distribution lines to the customer meters for your use.

Tampering with or Vandalism of the Water System
If you witness any acts of tampering and/or vandalism of District facilities, immediately call your local law enforcement agency and EAWSD, (505) 466-1085 (or 780-0090 evenings and weekends). Remember, these are your facilities and the cost of repair or replacement will ultimately affect the rates you pay for service.

Regulating Water Pressure in the House or Business
Water pressure on the house or business side of the customer meter is the responsibility of the customer. Devices needed to regulate the pressure at a home or business are considered part of the private plumbing system and are the responsibility of the customer to install, adjust, operate and maintain. The most common device is a pressure regulator, designed to reduce higher service pressures. Very low service pressures, however, may necessitate the installation of a private "booster pump" system, which is also the customer's responsibility to install, adjust, operate and maintain.

Private Wells  
EAWSD has no regulatory authority or control over groundwater pumping from privately owned and operated wells. The District may, however, require the installation of a District-approved backflow preventer on the service line for properties that have both a well and a connection to the public water system. Customers who wish to drill and/or operate a well on their property should contact their local Office of the State Engineer and the Santa Fe County Land Use Department for information on the necessary permits.

Septic Systems
The waste water treatment system at homes within the Eldorado Area Water and Sanitation District typically consists of a septic tank, usually a square concrete structure that has a capacity of 1,000-2,000 gallons, and a leach field.

Unmaintained septic systems have been shown to pollute ground water more quickly than those systems that receive regular maintenance.

An average home should have its septic tank pumped by a septic servicing company every 2-3 years according to the New Mexico Environment Department. The cost of pumping a 1,000 gallon tank is about $200-$250.  Check your yellow pages for septic pumping services near you.

Fire Service
Water service may be provided by the District solely for use in fire hydrants or fire sprinkler systems from lines or laterals connected to the District's water mains. If you are interested in Fire Service Only, please contact the District Administration Office for more information.