Brackish Water Treatment, Exploration, and Production

The Strategic Water Supply Act establishes a framework for enhancing New Mexico's freshwater resources through the development and management of brackish water. The Act creates the Strategic Water Supply (SWS) Program, which allows New Mexico Department of Environment (NMED) and the Office of the State Engineer (OSE) to enter into contracts and award grants for projects that utilize treated brackish water. To qualify for funding, projects must comply with various legal standards, demonstrate economic development benefits, and in the case of contracts, include a community engagement plan that will be published to the awarding agency’s website. The Act also mandates that the agency evaluate how the projects in the proposals will limit greenhouse gas emissions and notify the state investment council about new contracts or grants