Buckman reports August production; wells used more as rivers ran turbid

The Buckman Direct Diversion Board received its August 2025 operations report Sept. 4 showing average daily diversions and deliveries and an increased share of groundwater use this year. Matt (operations presenter) reported raw water diversions averaged 5,260,000 gallons per day in August; drinking water deliveries through Booster Stations 4A and 5A averaged 4,570,000 gallons per day; raw water delivered to Las Campanas at Booster Station 2A averaged 860,000 gallons per day. He said Buckman contributed 35.3% of the region’s water for August 2025. Board discussion with Director Roach and operators focused on why well production rose this year. Roach and other staff said unusually wet weather since May and operations at the Canyon Road Water Treatment Plant reduced the need to divert Rio Grande water for part of the year, while turbidity during storms has at times forced temporary shutdowns and increased reliance on wells. Roach said San Juan Chama allocations received in May–July totaled 31% for the year to date, with no expectation of additional allocation (he noted recent rains could change that and he was not fully up to date). Staff explained that the system has aimed for roughly 20% of annual production from wells and 80% from rivers in recent years; this year wells have supplied about 25% of demand, partly because Canyon Road capacity was limited by the Nichols construction project. Roach gave a rough estimate that 25% of a total regional demand of about 9,000 acre‑feet equates to roughly 2,000–3,000 acre‑feet of groundwater used so far this year. Operators also reported temporary shutdowns because of very high turbidity during recent storms; one shutdown lasted about a day and a half. Board members stressed that exercising wells periodically is operationally useful so staff know they function when needed. Discussion only: report and Q&A; no formal board action was taken on operations figures. The report provides the board with data to inform upcoming operational planning and the MOU negotiations about canyon sampling and ENS performance.