New Mexico invests millions in desalination projects as drought pressures grow
New Mexico is investing more than $13 million in projects aimed at turning brackish underground water into a future drought-resilient water supply, including work involving NMSU.
State-funded effort includes NMSU partnership focused on treating salty underground water for future community use
Organ Mountain News report
SANTA FE - New Mexico is investing more than $13 million in projects aimed at turning salty underground water into a future water source as the state faces growing drought pressure and long-term water shortages.
State officials announced the contracts Monday as part of the Strategic Water Supply Program, an initiative tied to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s 50-Year Water Action Plan.
According to the state, scientists project New Mexico could face a water shortfall of more than 244 billion gallons within the next 50 years.
Organ Mountain News
The projects focus on brackish water — naturally occurring salty groundwater found in underground reservoirs across the state — and whether it can be treated and used without placing additional strain on limited freshwater supplies.
One of the projects directly involves New Mexico State University.
Albuquerque-based Indewater received a $3.7 million contract to develop a mobile desalination pilot plant in partnership with NMSU and a local manufacturer. The state said the system will be used to test whether brackish groundwater in rural and tribal communities can be treated for future use.
Officials said the mobile system could eventually help communities determine whether desalination is a realistic option as groundwater supplies become increasingly salty.
“By advancing brackish water desalination, resource mapping, and real-world demonstration projects, we are building the technical foundation needed to unlock new water sources statewide,” Environment Secretary James Kenney said in a statement.
The largest contract — $9.1 million — went to Albuquerque-based WSP to study brackish water supplies in the Middle Rio Grande Basin and identify possible future desalination sites.
A third project will test desalination technology at a cattle operation in southeastern New Mexico near Lake Arthur.
State officials said treated brackish water could eventually support manufacturing, agriculture, dust control, cooling systems and potentially drinking water supplies while preserving freshwater resources for other uses.
The contracts are part of a broader $40 million legislative appropriation for the Strategic Water Supply Program. The state said lawmakers approved an additional $35 million for future projects during the 2026 legislative session.
More information about the Strategic Water Supply Program is available through the New Mexico Environment Department.
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