A discussion on unconventional water sources with Dr. Bruce Thomson, a UNM professor who teaches a wide range of environmental engineering courses. Bruce discussed issues related to the quality of water New Mexico is using and considering for future use and whether any of these unconventional water sources are viable and sustainable.
The Middle Rio Grande through Albuquerque dried for 50 days last summer — and this year it could happen even earlier. With reservoirs at historic lows and 85% of New Mexico's Rio Grande water use deemed unsustainable, water managers and advocates say the region faces not a temporary drought but permanent aridification.