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District 2 candidates urge conservation, gray‑water reuse and infrastructure fixes to protect Santa Fe’s water supply
Summary
Candidates recommended conservation, xeriscaping, gray‑water and wastewater reuse, regional coordination and investment in an aging treatment plant as ways to secure Santa Fe’s water future.
Water availability drew a round of one‑minute answers emphasizing conservation and infrastructure.
Brandon Veil (water conservation committee member) said conservation and denser housing can make water use more efficient and argued for setting clear planning goals that pair hydrological, climatological and regional inputs. He noted the city has experts and models available for long‑term planning.
Stephanie Benonato (participating remotely) urged gray‑water and black‑water recycling and more municipal conservation practices. Eric Radack and Paul Bustamante recommended xeriscaping incentives and reducing turf in public and business areas, and Radack warned that watershed fire risk could threaten water quality and supply.
Mary Jo Metzger said the city's wastewater treatment plant is "over 50 years old" and that repairing pumps and infrastructure would enable reuse for parks and recreation areas to reduce potable water demand. Leroy Trujillo and others urged acequia repairs, rain‑barrel programs and exploration of atmospheric water‑generation technologies as complementary measures.
No formal water policy was adopted at the forum; candidates proposed a mixture of conservation, reuse and regional coordination.
