A scientist from Los Alamos National Laboratory has been tapped to help New Mexico with complex issues related to energy and water science.
The state Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department says Jeri Sullivan Graham will lead the Brackish Water Work Group.
One of the group's overarching goals is to identify the state's brackish water resources and find ways to make it more available and useable as a buffer against drought.
New Mexico is entering its fourth year of extremely dry conditions. The latest map shows nearly two-thirds of the state is dealing with severe drought or worse.
Graham's position will be funded by the lab through September.
Gov. Susana Martinez says she had asked the U.S. Energy Department for support in developing water reuse in New Mexico.
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