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Board adopts policy limiting taps to blind tees on BDD transmission lines; approves emergency connection for Marty Sanchez golf complex
Summary
The Buckman Direct Diversion Board adopted a policy prohibiting ad hoc taps into the BDD 4A transmission line and restricting 5A connections to existing blind tees, and voted to allow a city connection at an existing blind tee to serve the Marty Sanchez golf complex as an emergency backup.
The Buckman Direct Diversion Board adopted a policy on April 3 that prohibits new ad hoc taps to the BDD 4A finished-water transmission line and limits future 5A connections to existing blind tees and master-meter installations. The board also approved a specific, emergency-only connection request from the City of Santa Fe to serve the Marty Sanchez golf complex at an existing 5A blind tee.
"No connections will be allowed to the BDD 4A transmission line," read part of the policy text presented by Jesse Roche, BDD staff, who said the policy requires board approval for any connection at an existing blind tee on the 5A line and requires installation of a BDD-specification master meter. Jesse said the policy is intended to protect the integrity of the wholesale transmission system and ensure large taps are reviewed by the board.
Board members discussed system configuration and community planning implications. Commissioner Hughes said she was reluctant to endorse an absolute prohibition without more context on development pressure, and asked staff for a clearer map and development analysis. Staff and board members explained that 4A functions primarily to move bulk water to the 10-million-gallon tank and that tapping 4A would require substantial engineering, potentially including a booster station. The board indicated staff should provide a fuller, annotated map before future requests are considered.
On a separate motion the board approved a City of Santa Fe request for a connection to BDD 5A at the blind tee near County Road 69 for the Marty Sanchez golf complex. Staff said the golf complex’s primary irrigation plan remains effluent; the potable connection is intended as a pressurized emergency backup so the course can operate irrigation systems without pond storage in the event effluent or raw water is unavailable. City staff described an existing contingency path that has been used in past emergencies by connecting fire hydrants; the new master-metered connection would allow pressurized potable backup without reliance on temporary hydrant setups.
Votes: the board adopted the tapping policy and then approved the City’s connection request; both measures passed on recorded roll calls with all present members voting yes. Staff said the policy’s effective date will be set to April 3, 2025, and that the Marty Sanchez tie-in will be installed according to BDD connection and master-meter specifications.
Ending: Staff will finalize and publish the policy with an updated map and will coordinate master-meter installation and interagency compensation arrangements for the Marty Sanchez connection.
