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5 Major Updates From The Albuquerque Water Authority That Will Impact Your Bill And Future Supply

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As of December 2025, the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA) is at a critical juncture, navigating significant financial adjustments and accelerating its long-term strategy to ensure a sustainable water supply for the high-desert metropolitan area. The Authority's recent decisions—from a substantial rate hike to the aggressive rollout of conservation incentives—directly impact every resident's monthly bill and the region's water security for the next century.

The ABCWUA manages one of the most complex water systems in the Southwest, relying on a diverse portfolio that includes the critically important San Juan-Chama Drinking Water Project and the Rio Grande aquifer. Understanding the latest updates is essential for homeowners and businesses, as the Authority moves forward with massive infrastructure projects and a landmark 100-year water resource management plan known as "Water 2120."

The Financial Shockwave: What the 12% Rate Increase Means for You

The most immediate and impactful update for ABCWUA customers is the significant adjustment to the utility's rate structure. To fund necessary capital improvements and address rising operational costs, the Governing Board approved a substantial rate revenue increase that took effect in Fiscal Year 2025 (FY2025).

  • Approved Rate Increase: The Authority approved a 12% rate revenue increase for Fiscal Year 2025, which began on July 1, 2024, to address facility rehabilitation and operational cost increases.
  • Purpose of the Hike: This increase is explicitly tied to the need for facility rehabilitation and addressing rising operational costs. This funding is crucial for maintaining the aging infrastructure that delivers water and manages wastewater across Albuquerque and Bernalillo County.
  • Financial Context: This 12% adjustment follows a previous 5% rate revenue increase implemented in Fiscal Year 2023 (FY2023), highlighting a trend of necessary financial planning to secure the system's longevity.

The rate hike ensures the financial stability required to execute the Authority's extensive capital improvement plan, which focuses on upgrading treatment plants, replacing aging water mains, and securing the long-term viability of the water supply in a region prone to drought and water scarcity.

Water 2120: Securing Albuquerque's 100-Year Water Future

The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority's long-term vision is encapsulated in its landmark strategy, Water 2120: Securing our Water Future. This is not a short-term plan but a comprehensive 100-year water resource management strategy, building on the Authority's commitment to sustainability since 2017.

Water 2120 is built on a strategy of diversification, conservation, and responsible management of the region's water resources. Key components and entities within this plan include:

  • Diverse Supply Portfolio: The Authority currently utilizes six distinct water sources, a foundational element of the Water 2120 plan. This multi-source approach minimizes risk during drought periods.
  • San Juan-Chama Project: This critical project continues to be a cornerstone of the supply strategy, bringing water from the Colorado River Basin over the Continental Divide to supplement the Rio Grande and local groundwater. Ongoing projects are essential to manage this resource effectively.
  • Groundwater Management: A key success of the Authority has been reducing its reliance on groundwater pumping from the Rio Grande aquifer, allowing the aquifer to recover. This success is a foundational element that the Water 2120 plan seeks to maintain and build upon.
  • Decade Plan (FY 2025 - 2034): The broader 100-year strategy is implemented through shorter-term, actionable plans, such as the Decade Plan for Fiscal Years 2025 through 2034, which outlines specific capital projects and financial goals.

Conservation Pays: New Rebates and Programs You Must Use

In a major push to incentivize water-wise landscaping and reduce residential water consumption, the ABCWUA has significantly enhanced its conservation programs. These incentives are a key mechanism of the Water 2120 strategy, ensuring that water sustainability is a community-wide effort.

Expanded Xeriscape Rebate Program

The most lucrative incentive is the enhanced xeriscape rebate. The Authority has increased the rebate amount, making it a powerful financial tool for homeowners looking to convert their turf to desert-friendly landscapes.

  • Rebate Amount: Customers can now earn a $3.00 rebate for every square foot of turf removed and replaced with xeriscape—a significant increase that applies to both residential and commercial customers.
  • Eligibility: Crucially, projects must be approved before work begins; projects that have already been started or completed are not eligible for the incentive.

Other Key Conservation Incentives

The ABCWUA offers a suite of other incentive programs designed to reduce indoor and outdoor water waste, providing further opportunities for customers to offset the recent rate increases and lower their utility bills.

  • Smart Water Monitors: Rebates are available for installing smart monitoring systems that track water usage and detect leaks in real-time.
  • High-Efficiency Appliances: Programs include rebates for high-efficiency washing machines and toilets, which are major indoor water users.
  • Rainwater Harvesting: Incentives are offered to encourage the installation of systems to collect and store rainwater for irrigation, reducing the demand on the municipal supply.

Water Quality and the 2024 Report

A perennial concern for any utility is water quality. The ABCWUA regularly publishes its Water Quality Report, with the 2024 report being posted in April 2025, confirming the water meets all federal and state standards for drinking water quality.

However, the conversation around water quality remains dynamic. While the Authority maintains that the water is safe and has been recognized for its good taste, external reports have occasionally highlighted the presence of contaminants like lead, arsenic, and chromium 6. The Authority's ongoing investment in infrastructure and treatment facilities, funded in part by the new rate structure, is essential to continue ensuring the highest standards of water quality for all residents of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County well into the future. The commitment to continual updates and transparency remains a core tenet of the ABCWUA’s public service.

5 Major Updates from the Albuquerque Water Authority That Will Impact Your Bill and Future Supply
albuquerque water authority
albuquerque water authority

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