County proposes domestic well metering program after La Cienega pilot; PFAS and well‑flooding concerns raised

Michael Carr, Environmental Compliance Officer for Santa Fe County Public Works, described the county’s domestic well metering program and a pilot in the La Cienega/La Cieneguilla area that informed an implementation roadmap.

Carr said Santa Fe County requires new and certain existing wells to use OSE‑approved meters, report annual meter readings (or provide OSE quarterly reports), and perform meter testing every 10 years. The program’s next phase would add an online portal to upload readings, a county database to aggregate usage and to support long‑term planning, and outreach and incentives to increase participation.

Carr explained the pilot found operational and data‑management gaps and recommended a phased approach that begins with easier reporting and expands toward community‑level engagement. He said the county is coordinating with the Office of the State Engineer and with the New Mexico Water Data Initiative to improve data resolution and that further work plans for the La Cienega area are in preparation.

During Q&A commissioners and residents noted local flooding events, requests for better outreach and the need for joint messages to residents whose wells may have been flooded (public‑health testing of well water). Carr confirmed the county will consider integration with community groups and academic partners for sampling and monitoring, and that the La Cienega pilot’s follow‑up report and a phase‑2 work plan are in progress.