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Saturday, November 01, 2008
Sandoval County Announces Aquifer Find
Associated Press
RIO RANCHO — Sandoval County officials say an initial test shows an aquifer found in the Rio Puerco Basin contains enough brackish water that, once purified, could meet the region's needs for at least a century.
County Commissioner Jack Thomas describes the find as "a tremendous supply of brackish water." He estimates the aquifer could produce more than 4.3 million acre-feet of drinkable water, once refined and cleaned.
The estimated size of the aquifer is based on a monthlong test the county conducted to measure the volume of the aquifer from one of two wells about 7 miles west of Rio Rancho. The test ended Thursday.
County officials say the test is preliminary and that future studies will confirm the aquifer's size and water content.
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