Resident urges clearer data after Rio Rancho water report raises sustainability questions

Steven Van Horn told the Rio Rancho governing body during public forum that the city's latest Consumer Confidence Report does not give residents enough information to judge whether the local water supply is sustainable. He said the report notes the city has injected 350,000,000 gallons of water back into the aquifer since 2017 and called for clearer reporting on whether the local water table is declining.

"350,000,000 gallons of water is what the injection system is supposed to be injecting every year," Van Horn said, adding that the system "isn't working" and that the report should include trend data and other indicators. He also criticized imagery in the report that he said downplays risk to vulnerable groups, noting it showed an elderly person and a pregnant woman drinking water while the text warned some ill or elderly residents should consult a doctor.

The mayor and staff did not provide immediate new data in response during public forum; the item was a public comment rather than a staff presentation. Van Horn said he has posted additional details on a local Facebook page and asked the governing body to provide more transparent metrics in future consumer reports so residents can evaluate sustainability and health risks.