About Climate Resilience
New Mexico's climate is changing, bringing warmer temperatures and more unpredictable weather. We've already seen an increase of over 2°F since 1970, and it will continue to rise in the coming decades. As the climate warms, rainfall becomes more unpredictable because warmer air can hold more water. We’re seeing longer dry spells, but when the rain does come, it brings bigger storms.
Understanding these changes and how they affect water supplies can help our communities and water systems plan and adapt now to ensure a sustainable and water-resilient future. The illustration below shows how climate affects water in New Mexico. It’s explained in detail on the climate impact page.
Building Public Water System Resilience
Public water systems can build strength and reliability by taking a comprehensive look at how they manage their water resources. Diversifying water sources—drawing from both surface water and groundwater—creates flexibility when one source runs low. This approach allows systems to use renewable supplies when they're available and save groundwater for drier periods.
Strong infrastructure forms the backbone of reliable service. Systems with multiple wells, adequate storage for both raw and treated water, and emergency backup supplies can continue delivering water even when unexpected problems occur. Keeping track of water levels and supply conditions helps managers spot potential issues early and make informed decisions.
Conservation plays a vital role too. When communities adopt water-saving practices and communicate conservation plans, they stretch available supplies further and reduce stress on the system during challenging times. Systems that meet drinking water quality standards and maintain good management practices demonstrate the capacity to adapt and respond effectively.
Resiliency analysis is important to build understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities water systems face. By understanding unique vulnerabilities and identifying those opportunities, public water systems can continue providing safe, reliable drinking water to their communities for years to come.
Read New Mexico Water Stories
Main Stream New Mexico is your guide to revitalized regional water planning under New Mexico’s Water Security Planning Act of 2023. It is a campaign of the Interstate Stream Commission Water Planning Program.
About This Tool
This interactive tool is made to help local public water systems in New Mexico think about ways to make their water supply more reliable, especially when climate change might disrupt water delivery.
About Climate Impacts
Climate change impacts water supply across the state differently. Understanding these changes can help our communities and water systems plan and adapt now to ensure a water-resilient future.