Water Availability and Usage on the New Mexico/Mexico Border

New Mexico, one of four states on the U.S./Mexico border, is faced with a pressing concern—lack of water. Since the region is either arid or semiarid, it is chronically short of continually available surface-water resources. Groundwater resources are used beyond their capacity to be naturally rechar...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of environmental health 2005-10, Vol.68 (3), p.10-17
Main Authors: Li, Yongmei, Arnold, Stephen D., Kozel, Charles, Forster-Cox, Sue
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aquifers
Arsenic
Comparative analysis
Contamination
Drinking water
Environmental agencies
Environmental aspects
FEATURES
Forecasts and trends
Groundwater
Groundwater availability
Groundwater pollution
Growth
Health Planning
Health Priorities
Health problems
International borders
Market trend/market analysis
Mexico
New Mexico
Nonpoint source pollution
Pollution sources
Population
Population growth
Public health
Social aspects
Streams
Supply and demand
Surface water
United States
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Uranium
Water availability
Water consumption
Water management
Water quality
Water resources
Water Supply
Water wells
Water, Underground
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Summary:New Mexico, one of four states on the U.S./Mexico border, is faced with a pressing concern—lack of water. Since the region is either arid or semiarid, it is chronically short of continually available surface-water resources. Groundwater resources are used beyond their capacity to be naturally recharged, and most surface-water resources are used to the maximum. The quality of groundwater varies widely. As a result of nonpoint-and point-source contamination, as well as natural occurrence, water in some areas is too salty or has high levels of natural uranium, fluoride, or arsenic. To date, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) has recognized 1,400 cases of groundwater contamination, and 1,907 water supply wells have been affected (NMED, 2001a). Of approximately 4,000 miles of continuously flowing rivers and streams in New Mexico, 92 percent are affected by nonpoint sources of pollution (NMED, 2001b), Numerous critical water issues exist along the New Mexico/Mexico border as a result of the impending critical issue of water availability, usage, and quality, as well as the fast-growing population. Related public health problems along the New Mexico/Mexico border are indicative of the need for a holistic, concrete, and sustainable solution to meet water demands in New Mexico. In order to accomplish the goals and objectives of Border XXI, Healthy People 2010, and Healthy Border 2010, a comprehensive statewide water management plan is needed. Solutions to the water demands of the region will be addressed in a subsequent manuscript.
ISSN:0022-0892