By KRWG News
Las Cruces – New Mexico State Engineer John D'Antonio says the first full year of collecting groundwater pumping data in the lower Rio Grande valley has been successful.
He says most well owners have been conscientious about reporting their meter readings and water masters have been in the field checking meters as necessary.
D'Antonio says the information provides a better picture of water supply and groundwater pumping in the lower Rio Grande.
The data shows that during 2009 about 180,000 acre-feet of groundwater was pumped by area wells. An acre-foot is about 326,000 gallons, or enough to supply about two households for a year.
Nearly three-quarter of the water was pumped by irrigation wells.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.