How much water is a single household allowed to use from a newly permitted domestic well?

A single household is typically allowed to use 1 acre-foot of water per year from a newly permitted domestic well. This regulation is designed to manage and conserve water resources effectively in New Mexico, where water scarcity can be a significant concern.

An acre-foot is a volume of water that covers one acre of land to a depth of one foot, which roughly equates to 325,851 gallons. This amount is generally deemed sufficient for domestic use in an average household, covering drinking, cooking, bathing, and irrigation for gardens or landscaping.

Options that suggest a higher volume, such as multiple acre-feet per year or unlimited usage, do not align with state regulations aimed at sustainable water management. It is critical for water rights in New Mexico to be pertained to the designated amounts established by permits, ensuring that individual households can efficiently use water without jeopardizing the resource for future users. The variability based on permit issuance might seem plausible; however, regulations for domestic wells in New Mexico are quite standardized, reinforcing the limit of one acre-foot per year for individual households.