That is the issue in front of New Mexico about the current water dilemma. We, as a state, are really short of water. When should the leaders of New Mexico have made a plan to deal with the water crisis? That is easy; they should have dealt with this crisis twenty years ago. When is the next best time? Now.
New Mexico has been in a drought for 280 million years come next August, so being short of water should come as no surprise. OK, I exaggerate, but it has been thousands of years. Since recorded time water has been short in our little slice of paradise.
Through good times and bad our politicians complain about the lack of water but what is really lacking are plans to deal with the lack of water. Our state needs water for household use and for use by the various Agricultural industries.
There are two constraints when we talk about getting more water: the water must not cost too much or the businesses that use the water cannot compete with industries in other states or countries with much lower cost water. And, the quality of the water can be a problem. When people say we have hard water they are not kidding, it rattles in the pipes. The total dissolved solids in New Mexico water can be 500 parts per million or higher which is a problem for many plants. Gosh, it would be great to get replacement water that was more pure.
Years ago both California and Arizona started dreaming of large-scale water projects to address their lack of water. They did the planning and construction even though it was not easy. The rest is history. Instead of withering away, Los Angeles and Phoenix have thrived because of their big water projects.
Many New Mexico farmers cannot grow crops this year but still have to pay their land taxes. Ranchers cannot supplementally feed their animals because of the shortage of New Mexico hay which made the price go up 400 percent. Subsequently, many ranch operations have had to get rid of their legacy animals. They are one step away from being out of business forever.
My plan would tie our water needs to the needs of the El Paso valley farmers in Texas. States that border an ocean have a great advantage because they can desalinate sea water and the brine conveniently goes out to sea. The oceans are forever whereas if New Mexico desalinates our own brackish water, it is finite. Yes, it may last longer than the current crop of politicians, but eventually that resource will run out.
So we need to work with Texas to construct a big pipe from the Gulf Coast to Elephant Butte Lake. At one end is a thirsty region, El Paso and Southern New Mexico needing lots of water.
At the other end needs to be a large desalination plant tied to the ocean powered by two atomic energy units. The atomic energy must be constructed with hurricanes in mind and must also provide plenty of electric power to the coast region so they are glad to have the plants. Two must be constructed together so that one unit can be taken off-line for maintenance without stopping the venture.
The project would be a joint New Mexico Texas project. The atomic plants power both the actual desalinization and pump the clean water to Elephant Butte Lake. Both New Mexico and West Texas Agriculture would thrive. The biggest constraint is making the water cost acceptable. That can be done.
Our area has great weather; we just must have more water. What we need is a really big big water project. Right now every politician is decrying the drought, but no one has a plan. The best time to plan this really big big water project was twenty years ago. The next best time is now.
Dr. Michael Swickard hosts the syndicated radio talk show News New Mexico on six to nine a.m. Monday - Friday on a number of New Mexico radio stations and through streaming. Email: michael@swickard.com
