Full Notification

Dear Aztec Citizens,
To help clear up any confusion about the current drought restrictions:
We are currently in Stage 2 of the Water Conservation and Drought Plan
The Water Conservation and Drought Plan is published on aztecnm.gov on the title page or in  City Code, Chapter 31.

The City of Aztec is under restriction by the State Engineers Office to only draw water from the Animas River. Normally we have three sources (Animas River, Aztec Ditch, and Animas Ditch). We will also be restricted certain days from drawing from the Animas River.
The Aztec Drought restriction is applied to domestic water use only, not irrigation ditch water.

The ditches are on a voluntary rotation of three days off twelve days on. The City has no control over ditch water use for those with water rights.
We have cancelled the Motorcross event August 23^rd and 24th in an effort conserve water. The races will be rescheduled in October if the drought ends.

We will leave the Aztec RV Dump Station open until after the Labor Day Holiday. This decision was made with the Commission's input after citizen feedback.

The Construction contractor for the Aztec Arterial has a water meter and may be able to apply for a special exemption if needed to complete the project.

Our police, code enforcement, and public works crews are authorized to put notices on private property if they see a violation.
There is a civil penalty associated with violations in Stage 2, Stage 3, and Stage 4, in City Code Chapter 16, Sec. 16-203. Water Drought Fees.
All parks are on a two-day watering cycle that is not on odd or even days (currently Monday and Friday evening through early morning). We are working diligently to control all water in the parks. With a vast amount of irrigated turf, flowers, and plants, it is difficult to shut the whole system in an instant.

We have forty-five days’ supply of water if the Animas River runs dry.
We are working with Bloomfield to test and repair the waterline that runs between Aztec and Bloomfield for emergency backup.
We have water rights for Lake Nighthorse and are communicating with the San Juan Water Commission on the preliminary steps to call for water if needed.
 
We are requesting that everyone does their part to help us through this time. Your Aztec Water Department and Public Works have been in meetings since March with San Juan County, Farmington, San Juan Water Commission, and the State Engineers office trying to prepare for this time.

Please call 505-334-7602 with questions and PLEASE help us spread this information to everyone in the Aztec Community.
Hopefully this will all be moot as the monsoon rain gets closer every day.