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New Mexico city to replenish aquifer with treated water

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — One of New Mexico's fastest growing cities is celebrating the completion of a $25 million project that will allow for recycled water to be used to help recharge the aquifer. The city of Rio Rancho depends on the aquifer for drinking water. Starting this summer, the city will put up to 1 million gallons of treated water per day into the aquifer via an injection well. That's about 10 percent of the daily average the city pumps out. Officials say recharging the aquifer, along with conservation, is crucial to the city's long-term sustainability and success. The Office of the State Engineer says others are working on similar recharge demonstration projects but have not yet been permitted for full-scale operations. That includes Albuquerque's wastewater treatment plant and the city of Hobbs.