Water Use & Conservation

Water Development Planning

The Water Use and Conservation Bureau reviews all water development plans submitted to the agency.
A water development plan (aka 40-year plan) is a document created by a water system that assesses the amount of water needed to meet current and future water demands in relation to the water rights held by the permittee. §72-1-9 NMSA allows water systems to hold water rights for reasonably projected additional needs within 40 years pursuant to a water development plan.

19.26.2.19.E NMAC requires that the plan and projected needs be approved by the State Engineer. All water rights held pursuant to a plan that have been approved by the State Engineer are protected from forfeiture under §72-5-28 and 72-12-8 NMSA.

For current agency guidance for designing and writing a water development plan, please contact the Water Use and Conservation Bureau at 505-827-6755 or water.nm@ose.nm.gov. Systems are encouraged to contact our office with any questions before beginning development of any plan.